The United Nations in International History

(Hardback)

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The United Nations in International History argues for a new way of examining the history of this central global institution by integrating more traditional diplomacy between states with new trends in transnational and cultural history to explore the organization and its role in 20th- and 21st-century history. Amy Sayward looks at the origins of the U.N. before examining a range of organizations and players in the United Nations system and analysing its international work in the key arenas of diplomacy, social & economic development programs, peace-keeping, and human rights. This volume provides a concise introduction to the broad array of international work done by the United Nations, synthesizes the existing interdisciplinary literature, and highlights areas in need of further research, making it ideal for students and beginning researchers.

Reviews

Useful for students and teachers who are interested in international and especially UN history. (Bloomsbury Translation) * H-Soz-Kult *
Saywards book is a welcome introduction to the United Nations It will be especially useful in introductory-level courses on the United Nations and upper-level classes on international history, as students will find much value in her rich overview. Her book also serves as a valuable starting point for graduate students, scholars, and journalists seeking an authoritative guide to the UN system and the growing body of scholarship dedicated to analyzing its history. * H-Diplo *
Amy Sayward had written a superbly balanced and comprehensive overview of how the United Nations has evolved and how it works. This book is a must-read" primer for students and educators, young and older, as well as journalists and diplomats first embarking on U.N. assignments and needing perspective on the history of our most significant international organization, one that indeed has changed global society since World War II. Historians in particular will find Saywards account a most valuable resource summarizing the U.N.s past and aiding any assessment of its future. * David Scheffer, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, USA *
A superb introduction to the UNs multifaceted role in the world, The United Nations in International History is an essential resource for students of internationalism and international governance. Combining masterful analyses of long-term developments with brisk, in-depth studies of key issuesfrom antecedents in 19th century scientific organizations to peacekeeping, refugee assistance, and human rightsAmy Sayward expertly charts a course through the history of the UN, its many agencies and functions, and its relations with other actors. With enticing suggestions for further research sprinkled throughout, this wonderful book is certain to energize the next wave of UN studies. * Barbara Keys, Associate Professor of History, The University of Melbourne, Australia *
United Nations diplomacy is multi-tonal and not monolithic. As such, the organisation provides a vital setting and source-base for working with diplomatic history and wider transnational histories. Across a variety of geographies, themes and global political contestations undertaking research on the United Nations offers a stimulating journey for exploring the major issues of our recent past and the present. Amy L. Sayward has produced a broad-ranging and most helpful introduction to how the United Nations can be a rich and rewarding subject of study for interested students and researchers. * Steven L. B. Jensen, The Danish Institute for Human Rights, Denmark *
Sawyard provides a comprehensive overview of the institutions scope of action in the international arena ... The monograph provides strong evidence of continuities at the institutional level and in daily practices. * Journal of Contemporary History *

Author Bio

Amy L. Sayward is Professor of History at Middle Tennessee State University, USA.