The Un Security Council and the Politics of International Authority (Electronic book text)

The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful international institution in the history of the nation-state system. The collective power of the Council has not changed much over the past half century however its authority has been constantly evolving. Its initial mandate was limited to opposing aggression and promoting international peace and security, yet it has now become directly involved in a broad range of issues such as, amongst others; nation-building, peacekeeping and promoting human rights. This book examines the degree to which the Security Council may be evolving into an international authority with the legitimacy to act on behalf of the international community on a wide range of global issues. It does so by placing this question within the broader theoretical context of global governance and the nature of "international authority." This volume brings together eight scholars with significant expertise and experience in studying the United Nations, the Security Council, international relations theory, and international law.