The Law and Practice of the United Nations

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This volume presents the latest English version of the fifth Italian edition of a comprehensive textbook on the United Nations, originally published in 1971. It offers a thorough legal analysis of issues related to membership, organizational structure, functions, and acts, considering the Charter's text, its historical context, and the practice of U.N. organizations. Developments in U.N. practices since 1971 are included, with recent practices supplementing rather than replacing earlier ones, even if some may seem outdated. The book aims to trace the history of the United Nations through practice analysis, acknowledging that what appears obsolete today may regain relevance in the future. For example, the U.S. proposal in 1975 for the admission of the two Vietnams and two Koreas under a package technique reflects the enduring significance of past advisory opinions, such as the 1948 International Court of Justice opinion on collective admission. This legal analysis, grounded in practice rather than dogma, effectively illustrates the U.N.'s historical and current role, surpassing many lengthy political or sociological studies. The focus remains on the Charter as it exists, with only limited discussion on potential reforms, particularly regarding the Security Council and General Assembly, as radical changes to the U.N.'s structure seem unlikely given recent geopolitical realities.