UN and International Security

The course begins with the League of Nations and the origins of the UN and its key structures. Then we examine the UN's role in collective security, arms control and disarmament, and peacekeeping as these activities were practiced during the Cold War and as they have evolved in recent years. We then turn to UN activities that go beyond treating the symptoms of conflict and aim instead to fight its root causes, such as racism and human rights violations. Finally, we close with an exploration of the meaning of UN legitimacy and the future prospects of the Security Council.