This is a penetrating analysis of UN Security Council reform. It presents an overview of the current debates - emphasising the potential for, and modalities of, adjustment in the post-Cold War era - through a systematic investigation of the various reform proposals and the attitudes of member states. This is essential reading for all students and scholars of the United Nations and international relations.

However the UN has been revered as essential for maintaining international peace and security, its effectiveness has been questioned to the point where even its existence has been questioned. If there is a growing consensus that the structure and methods of operation of the UN need to be revised since its inception, despite this widespread recognition, there has not yet been an agreement on exactly how this revision should be carried out, leaving the international community at an impasse. Is the UN reform viable? What are its main obstacles? What would be the UN’s ideal structure? Through an in-depth analysis of official documents and discussions surrounding this issue, Inês Teixeira Pinheiro addresses the unanswered questions, to the extent that she even offers her model of reform.

Since its establishment in 1945, the U.N. has been in a constant state of transition as various international stakeholders seek ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the U.N. system. Recent controversies, such as corruption of the Iraq Oil-For-Food Program, allegations of sexual abuse by U.N. peacekeepers, and instances of waste, fraud and abuse by U.N. staff, have focused renewed attention on the need for change and improvement of the U.N. Contents of this report: (1) Introduction; (2) Background; (3) Recently Adopted and/or Implemented Reforms and the New Secretary-General; (4) Congress and U.N. Reform; (5) Administrative Policies; (6) Reform Perspectives and Priorities; (7) Implementing Reform: Mechanics and Possible Challenges.

The nature and scope of UN Security Council decisions - significantly changed in the post-Cold War era - have enormous implications for the conduct of foreign policy. The UN Security Council offers a comprehensive view of the council both internally and as a key player in world politics. Focusing on the evolution of the council's treatment of key issues, the authors discuss new concerns that must be accommodated in the decisionmaking process, the challenges of enforcement, and shifting personal and institutional factors. Case studies complement the rich thematic chapters. The book sheds much-needed light on the central events and trends of the past decade and their critical importance for the future role of the council and the UN in the sphere of international security.

“Key Documents on the Reform of the UN Security Council 1991-2019” brings together primary source documents reflecting the political, legal and academic discussions about reform of the United Nations Security Council, in particular its membership and decision-making. The collection objectively reflects the various positions of all participants, including governments, UN bodies, universities and think tanks.

This volume comprehensively evaluates the current state and future reform prospects of the UN Security Council, providing the most accessible and rigorous treatment of the subject of reform to date. Apart from a couple of critical eyes in the academic community, few have asked the pertinent questions that this volume seeks to address: Will the enlargement of the Council constitute a reform? Could the inclusion of countries such as India, Germany, Japan, and Brazil markedly improve the Council’s agency? In response, this book focuses on: The Role and Agency of the UN Security Council The History of the Reform Debate An Expanded Council Working Method Reforms Enhancing Agency As the future of the UN Security Council continues to be the focus of fierce debate, this book will be essential reading for students of international relations, international organizations and international security studies alike.

In Towards a more accountable United Nations Security Council, Carolyn Evans argues that enhanced accountability of the Council, and corresponding evolution of practice, are salutary changes which are feasible to achieve towards the Council better answering its raison d'être.