The Third Try: Can the UN Work?

Arguing for the viability of the United Nations, this study calls for renewed commitment to the idealistic goals upon which it was founded and condemns the world's most powerful countries for withholding needed resources. A summary of the UN's strengths provides details on more than 60 years of successful peacekeeping missions, world health initiatives, and aid to refugees. The ways the UN has fallen short—including failed efforts to protect human rights, reduce poverty, safeguard the environment, and prevent war—are also discussed, and ways to restructure are suggested.