The chapters in this volume identify and assess the political process and bases of support for multilateralism in terms of the shifting power relations in world politics, institutional innovations in the United Nations and non-UN multilateralisms. They seek to answer the question: What can and should be done to confront salient issues of the "global problematic" ? More specifically, the contributors ask whether currently existing multilateral mechanisms are up to the challenge.

"United Nations Global Conferences "discusses the origins, meaning, purposes, trends and controversies concerning the convening and impacts of United Nations global conferences.
It is a particularly propitious time for such a study since there are 30 such conferences to compare and many argue that they have not been worth the money expended on them. Others, however, suggest that the only effective way to address global problems, like racism, sexism, overpopulation, environmental degradation, over-fishing, urbanization, and the proliferation of small arms is through the convening of such conferences. This book, the first comprehensive comparative study of such conferences provides information essential to the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of multilateralism and includes an examination of:
* The typical structure of a conference
* Description of the Global Conferences
* Substantive and institutional outcomes of the conferences
* Changes resulting from the conferences
* UN Conferences as mechanisms for coping with the problems of the 21st Century
This book will be essential reading for students of the United Nations, international organization and global governance, as well as practitioners from non-governmental organizations.""

What is meant by the concept of civil society? Why do some equate it with liberal democracy, while others think it simply a guise for a market economy? Who benefits from globalization and who loses out? Can civil society prosper in an era of globalization? Can global civil society restrain some of the negative consequences of economic globalization? Through a series of unique case studies and theoretical inquiries, this volume aims to provide a set of concrete answers to questions such as these.

The aim of this volume is to discuss the kinds of multilateralism that would be required to pursue some of the alternative projects of society, namely those which agree with some of the key normative commitments of the MUNS programme: non-violent means for dealing with conflict; social equity; protection of the biosphere; diffusion of power among social groups and societies. The strategies identified here are both 'top-down', ie: relying on conventional international institutions and 'bottom-up', ie: involving a new multilateralism grounded in civil society.

"United Nations Global Conferences "discusses the origins, meaning, purposes, trends and controversies concerning the convening and impacts of United Nations global conferences.
It is a particularly propitious time for such a study since there are 30 such conferences to compare and many argue that they have not been worth the money expended on them. Others, however, suggest that the only effective way to address global problems, like racism, sexism, overpopulation, environmental degradation, over-fishing, urbanization, and the proliferation of small arms is through the convening of such conferences. This book, the first comprehensive comparative study of such conferences provides information essential to the ongoing debate about the pros and cons of multilateralism and includes an examination of:
* The typical structure of a conference
* Description of the Global Conferences
* Substantive and institutional outcomes of the conferences
* Changes resulting from the conferences
* UN Conferences as mechanisms for coping with the problems of the 21st Century
This book will be essential reading for students of the United Nations, international organization and global governance, as well as practitioners from non-governmental organizations.""

One of the most pervasive phenomena that distinguish the early 21st century is the prevalence of international organizations (IOs). There are IOs in virtually every sector: political, economic, trade, social, educational, scientific, defense, and so forth. Some IOs are restricted to clearly defined activities and closely controlled by their members; others just grow and grow, moving into new sections and becoming more powerful in some ways than their members. The second edition of Historical Dictionary of International Organizations provides a comprehensive overview of the major international organizations, both intergovernmental and international intergovernmental, of the 20th and 21st centuries. While the emphasis is on organizations that continue to operate today, important organizations that have ceased to exist are also included. This reference includes a chronology, an introductory essay, and over 700 cross-referenced dictionary entries on the organizations, significant leaders, pioneers, founders and members.

The aim of this volume is to discuss the kinds of multilateralism that would be required to pursue some of the alternative projects of society, namely those which agree with some of the key normative commitments of the MUNS program: non-violent means for dealing with conflict; social equity; protection of the biosphere; diffusion of power among social groups and societies. The strategies identified here are both "top-down," relying on conventional international institutions, and "bottom-up," involving a new multilateralism grounded in civil society.

The Political Economy of a Plural World is a new volume by one of the world's leading critical thinkers in International Political Economy. Building on his seminal contributions to the field, Robert W Cox engages with the major themes that have characterized his work over the past three decades, and also the main topics which affect the globalised world at the start of the twentieth-century. The book addresses such core issues as global civil society, power and knowledge, the covert world, multilateralism, and civilizations and world order. Michael Schechter has written an introductory essay which addresses current critiques of Coxian theory, enabling the author to enter into a stimulating dialogue with critics of his work.
Timely, provocative and original, this book is a major contribution to International Political Economy and essential reading for all students and academics in the field.

Political Economy of a Plural World is a new volume by one of the world's leading critical thinkers in international political economy. Building on his seminal contributions to the field, Robert W Cox engages with the major themes that have characterized his work over the past three decades, and also the main topics which affect the globalized world at the start of the twentieth-century. The book addresses such core issues as global civil society, power and knowledge, the covert world, multilateralism, and civilizations and world order. Michael Schechter has written an introductory essay which addresses current critiques of Coxian theory, enabling the author to enter into a stimulating dialogue with critics of his work.
Timely, provocative and original, this book is a major contribution to international political economy and essential reading for all students and academics in the field.

What is meant by the concept of civil society? Why do some equate it with liberal democracy, while others think it simply a guise for a market economy? Who benefits from globalization and who loses out? Can civil society prosper in an era of globalization? Can global civil society restrain some of the negative consequences of economic globalization? Through a series of unique case studies and theoretical inquiries, this volume provides a set of concrete answers to questions such as these.

The aim of this volume is to discuss the kinds of multilateralism that would be required to pursue some of the alternative projects of society, namely those which agree with some of the key normative commitments of the MUNS programme: non-violent means for dealing with conflict; social equity; protection of the biosphere; diffusion of power among social groups and societies. The strategies identified here are both "top down" - relying on conventional international institutions - and "bottom up" - involving a new multilateralism grounded in civil society.

Globalization is a multidimensional issue, and its impacts on world resources cross and integrate environmental, economic, political and cultural boundaries. Over the last few decades, the push towards globalization has brought a new dimension in which managers of fisheries and water resources will need to operate, both at the local and global level of governance. In order to effectively address the future sustainability of these resources, it is critical to understand the driving factors of globalization and their effect on fisheries ecosystems and the people who depend on these resources for their cultural and societal well-being. This 2007 book discusses the social and political changes affecting fisheries, the changes to ecological processes due to direct and indirect impacts of globalization, the changing nature of the goods and services that fisheries ecosystems are able to provide, and the resultant changes in markets and economic assessment of our fishery resources.

Globalization is a multidimensional issue, and its impacts on world resources cross and integrate environmental, economic, political and cultural boundaries. Over the last few decades, the push towards globalization has brought a new dimension in which managers of fisheries and water resources will need to operate, both at the local and global level of governance. In order to effectively address the future sustainability of these resources, it is critical to understand the driving factors of globalization and their effect on fisheries ecosystems and the people who depend on these resources for their cultural and societal well-being. This 2007 book discusses the social and political changes affecting fisheries, the changes to ecological processes due to direct and indirect impacts of globalization, the changing nature of the goods and services that fisheries ecosystems are able to provide, and the resultant changes in markets and economic assessment of our fishery resources.