This book is as about the UN development system and the never-ending quest for its reform. It will show how member states as financers, principals, and recipients of UN development assistance set significant limits to any increases in the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the UN development system which they otherwise continue to demand. The book distinguishes between the UN as a forum for dialogue and decision-making on development issues on the one hand, and the UN as an actor that implements development policy on the other hand, taking into account the interlinkages between the two perspectives. Offering a concise yet comprehensive overview and analysis of reform politics in the area of UN development, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of UN and development studies, international organizations and international relations.