The United Nations in the 21st Century: Dilemmas in World Politics, 5th ed.

• Author: Bocanegra, Omar Antonio Anduaga
• Position: Book review

Karen A. Mingst, Margaret P. Karns & Alynna J. Lyon, The United Nations in the 21st Century (Dilemmas in World Politics) (5th ed. 2016), Westview Press; ISBN: 9780813350486; 360 pp. (hardcover).

The United Nations in the 21st Century (1) is an inviting book with a multidisciplinary approach, illustrating the the history of the United Nations since its inception. Its chapters contain historical, legal, and statistical knowledge supported by interesting analysis from an International Relations perspective, while also presenting erudite and relevant information that exposes the U.N. from the inside out. (2) It is rare to find a book that provides such an in-depth interdisciplinary focus, making it a good source of information for multiple fields of study. By using information and analysis transverse to the interest of different audiences, this book leads the reader to approach the study of the U.N. from the widest possible perspective. (3)

This edition of The United Nations in the 21st Century discusses: issues of inclusiveness and the challenges of diversity, (4) cultural practices, (5) and climate-change related advances since Paris 2015; (6) China's role in the world; (7) and different levels of equality-related affairs added to the issues they have analyzed since the previous book. Rather than just praise the U.N. and highlight its accomplishments, the goal of this book is to help the reader understand the past successes and failures of the U.N., acknowledge its present status, and be able to predict solutions (theoretical or practical) to its future challenges.

To support its contents and improve reader understanding, this book provides outside resources such as charts, statistical data, photos, and diagrams. (8) Unlike an encyclopedia summarizing widely known facts, this book delves deep into the analysis and comments within provided resources, including them as part of the reading, not just as a footnote. For someone unfamiliar with the big organogram of the U.N., this is a great source of information to understand the organization as a whole. For those already familiar with the principles this unique institution is based on, the book begins with refreshing reference material, and then provides a starting point of reflection of how the organizations principles operate, and the reforms the U.N. should consider in order to successfully face future challenges. (9)

This is where Mingst, Karns, and Lyon show the value of their work. While ending their introduction on a hopeful, open-ended note, they do not shy from identifying areas where the U.N. needs to work harder, and those in which it has failed. (10) This gives the reader the opportunity to formulate their own opinion: either agreeing with the hope Mingst, Karns, and Lyon present, or fearing the unknown to come...