Book Description

The shortcomings and ineffectiveness of the U.N. confound and intrigue people and continue to decrease support for it. The causes are numerous: some are external to the Organization, others internal; some political, others institutional. This first book-length political study of those shortcomings breaks new ground by exposing some of the well-hidden political causes. It is based on the assumption that, in the interest of the Organization, as well as that of the efficiency and integrity of the staff, ideally politics should not have a role to play in the administrative affairs of the Secretariat. The main aim of the study, therefore, is to demonstrate the urgent necessity of effecting change within the Secretariat if the U.N. is to become a viable organization.