Hardback
Global Institutions in a Time of Power Transition
Governing Turbulence
9781035312788 Edward Elgar Publishing
This insightful book investigates the role of the UN Secretariat in an era of significant global power shifts. It argues that though UN staff can shape political outcomes towards their own ideals and the UN’s institutional mission, their powers are limited by member states seeking to influence and control the Secretariat.
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Critical Acclaim
Contributors
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This timely book investigates the role of the UN Secretariat in an era of significant global power shifts. It demonstrates that UN staff have some ability to shape political outcomes towards their own ideals and the UN’s institutional mission, and also that their powers are limited by member states seeking to influence and control the Secretariat. It puts new focus on the UN staff as variables here.
Using a novel theoretical model of the role of global civil servants in world politics, this book analyses the interaction between rising and declining powers, and the UN Secretariat. Contributors explore a wide range of case studies, examining UN interactions with a diverse range of states, UN agencies, and other global secretariats such as the WHO and WTO. The book considers both the ethical and practical questions facing UN staff, revealing the tension between political pragmatism and institutional idealism. Advancing the debate on institutions and global change, it argues that Secretariat staff play a complicated but active role in managing power transitions and shaping international politics.
Global Institutions in a Time of Power Transition will be an invaluable resource for scholars of political geography, international relations, regulation and governance, and the United Nations. It will also be essential reading for staff at international organisations who wish to understand their role in world politics.
Using a novel theoretical model of the role of global civil servants in world politics, this book analyses the interaction between rising and declining powers, and the UN Secretariat. Contributors explore a wide range of case studies, examining UN interactions with a diverse range of states, UN agencies, and other global secretariats such as the WHO and WTO. The book considers both the ethical and practical questions facing UN staff, revealing the tension between political pragmatism and institutional idealism. Advancing the debate on institutions and global change, it argues that Secretariat staff play a complicated but active role in managing power transitions and shaping international politics.
Global Institutions in a Time of Power Transition will be an invaluable resource for scholars of political geography, international relations, regulation and governance, and the United Nations. It will also be essential reading for staff at international organisations who wish to understand their role in world politics.
Critical Acclaim
‘The book usefully brings together analysis of shifting power in the global arena with the response by international civil servants in the UN System. Through linking the external power and internal management dynamics, notable insights are provided from comparison across a diverse set of countries, issue areas, and organizations.’
– Kent Kille, The College of Wooster, US
– Kent Kille, The College of Wooster, US
Contributors
Contributors include: Bimal Adhikari, Gregory T. Chin, Conall Mallory, Hugo Bras Martins da Costa, Wei Liang, Joel E. Oestreich, Marianna Restum Albuquerque, Rhona Smith, Kendall Stiles, Stephanie Strobl, Giovanna Esther Zucatto
