United Nations, India and The New World Order

The book is an assessment of the role played by the United Nations since its inception. It is about how the UN has operated since its foundation in 1945, its achievements, its equally notable failures and about its relevance in facing the current challenges in the context of a new global order. Above all, it is an exploration of how to view the independent character of the UN, whose place in the new millennium has not been as effective as that envisaged by its founding fathers. Some see the UN as the key to world peace, prosperity and security. Others dismiss it as a weak organisation, incapable of taking serious and timely action. Neither assessment fully reflects the changing reality. This book contains an authentic and realistic assessment of the United Nations. It brings together distinguished academics in a systemic but critical account of the part the UN has played in international relations and in facing the socio-economic, political, military, cultural and ecological challenges since 1945.

Saroj K. Patnaik (b. 1949), Reader in Political Science, is presently the Principal of K.B. College, Barang, Bhubaneswar, Orissa. He has specialisation in India’s relationship with the United Nations and Environment and has written several research articles and a book on Nehru. He organised the national seminar on ‘Fifty Years of the United Nations’ on November 25, 1995. He is a former Controller of Examinations. Berhampur University. J.K. Baral (b. 1943), Professof of Political Science in Berhampur University since 1986, was awarded on M.A. degree by Columbia University, New York in 1974 and Ph.D. by JNU, New Delhi in 1977. A recipient of Fulbright Fellowship (both Junior and Senior), he did post-doctoral research in the School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University, Washington D.C. in 1983-84. He has authored seven books and 75 research papers, spanning several areas of international politics. Jagdish P. Sharma (b. 1960) teaches in the Department of Aftican Studies, University of Delhi, and has written several books on modern history and international affairs. He has specialised in Afro-Arab and Asian Affairs. This is reflected in his books and in his writings in professional journals and newspapers. He has to his credit several major books which include The Arab Mind: Egypt, Arab Unity and World (1990), World History: New Horizons (1993), Vishwaltihas Vol. I and II (1995), Nehru and the People’s Movement (Ed. 1995), Peace Policy, An International Perspective: West Asia (Hindi 2003), Call of Jihad (2002), Afro-Asia and Contemporary Politics (2003), and Foreign Policy Challenges: India and the Afro-Arab World (2003).