Our Book of the Month choice for July

The SSL ‘Book of the Month’ feature highlights a book in our collection that has been chosen by one of our Subject Consultants. This may be a recent addition to our stock or an existing item that we would like to share with you.

 

Would the world be better without the UN?

Thomas G. Weiss

Polity Press, 2018

Shelfmark: JZ4984.5.WEI 2018

 

 

 

The Book of the Month for July has been selected by Jo Gardner, Bodleian Social Science Librarian and Subject Consultant for Politics and International Relations.

The choice was inspired by the UN World Population Day on 11 July.

 

Book Overview

Do we need the United Nations? Two “what ifs” anchor this book: One, where would the contemporary world be without its largest intergovernmental organisation? Two, where could it be had the UN performed better? Thomas G. Weiss, a leading analyst of UN history and politics, explores these fundamental questions in Would the World be Better without the UN? He argues that the inward-looking and populist movements in electoral politics worldwide make multilateralism more, not less, compelling. There is a desperate need to reinvigorate rather than jettison the UN in responding to global threats from climate change to pandemics, from proliferation to terrorism. Weiss tells us why and how.

Reviews:

“I salute this book because it helps us to understand the crucial importance of the UN in tackling the considerable challenges facing the world today. Tom Weiss has engagingly and honestly asked a very tough question.. His negative reply is an indispensable guide for anyone worried about the future of the planet and of the UN.”
Kofi Annan

“If you can only read one book on the UN, this is it: Why the UN matters, what it needs to do better, and what we need to do to make that happen.”
Craig Murphy, Wellesley College and University of Massachusetts

Where can I find it?

We have one copy which is for library use only. It is currently displayed on top of our New Books Display Area (located around the corner from our Library Issue Desk). You are welcome to remove it from the display and take a look at it. The shelfmark for the title is  JZ4984.5.WEI 2018

What would your SSL Book of the Month be? Do you have a favourite book in our collection? If so, we would love to know what it is. Add a comment below or email us.

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