Impressive in coverage, comprehensive in scope, there are few texts that offer as compelling an introduction to the complex world of international organisation as this. Readers are treated to a rich, historically grounded, investigation of myriad international organisations, and invited to consider international organisation as a complete phenomenon rather than one that is subdivided into segments that, when explored in isolation, tell us little about the onward march of international institutionalisation. There is little doubt this book is a major contribution to the field and a must read for all interested in international organisation and global governance.'
- Rorden Wilkinson, University of Manchester, UK'This is by far the most comprehensive one-volume compendium yet published on international organizations, far more useful and interesting than any simple directory. Clear overviews are provided of all the main organizations, including many less well-known and usually ignored, interspersed with boxes of key individual and milestone events. Professionals, international businessmen, even diplomats, will find this a mine of relevant information, endlessly useful, especially for the mature comments of well-informed insiders. Students wanting an introduction to the UN, the development banks or the Bretton Woods Institutions or writing theses on international organizations will find it a wonderful introduction to a complex and ever more important world.'
- Sir Richard Jolly, Co-author of UN Ideas That Changed the World

This text provides a pioneering and comprehensive analysis of over one hundred international organizations. After introducing the broad historical and contextual settings, the book covers the full range of international organizations including those that are often overlooked or get minimal inclusion elsewhere. Each organization is analyzed in a stand-alone section that considers its origins, basic mandates and evolution, the governance structure and the associated key players, current activities and future challenges. The descriptions also reflect each organization s broader relationships with other international bodies.

Some of the organizations covered include:
- The United Nations plus its system of semi-autonomous and Specialized Agencies
- The European Union and other regional organizations
- The development banks, international financial institutions and other international economic organizations
- The international scientific, transport, communications and agricultural organizations.

This detailed textbook will serve as an essential companion volume supplementing core texts on undergraduate modules where international organizations have a prominent role.

Contents: 1. An Introduction to International Organizations in Theory and Practice 2. International Organizations an Early History 3. The Modern Historical Context 4. The Character and Environment of International Organizations 5. The United Nations 6. The United Nations Semi-autonomous Agencies 7. The United Nations Specialized Agencies 8. The Development Banks 9. The Money Managers 10. Economics, Trade and Commerce 11. The European Union 12. The European Union's Semi-autonomous Agencies 13. Political Alliances and Security 14. The Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research 15. Intergovernmental Scientific Organizations 16. Transport and Communications 17. International Organizations: An Ever-expanding Universe? Bibliography Index