The United Nations should be considered as an enormously influential system in the world, considering the large number of agencies, programs, and funds incorporated under the UN rubric. Yet, notes Krasno (international security studies, Yale U.) most commentators fail to address the UN system in its entirety. She offers these 11 papers as a corrective that explores the historical evolution of the UN in a variety of realms, including the promotion of human rights, election monitoring, development programs, disarmament efforts, peacekeeping operations. Papers also examine issues surrounding the financing of the organization and the history of UN reform. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR