The last few years have witnessed several significant developments in respect of international organizations, most of which are best encapsulated in the word "change". In particular, international organizations have moved from their traditional role of facilitator of the activities of their members, to that of director of their own activities. As a result, there is increased scrutiny over issues relating to the governance, control, accountability and the privileges and immunities of international organizations. These subjects are all the focus of this book. Edward Kwakwa has collected together the best published work by leading authorities in the field on subjects of crucial importance and relevance to international organizations, particularly in the context of today's ever-increasing globalization. This book is of interest to scholars and students of law, as well as government and non-government practitioners and international civil servants.

In an increasingly globalised world, it is becoming ever more difficult for nation states to adapt to the international consequences of market failures, government failures and global externalities without co-operation and co-ordination with other countries. In the absence of any form of world government, the most effective solution to this problem is either to create new international institutions, reform existing ones or work within the prevailing institutional framework.

Analyses the effectiveness of international organisations as problem solvers of key issues in global politics.

International Organizations (IOs) are important actors within global social governance. They provide forums for exchange, contention and cooperation about social policies. Our knowledge about the involvement of IOs varies significantly by policy fields, and we know comparatively little about the specific roles of IOs in social policies. This volume enhances and systematizes our understanding of IOs in global social governance. It provides studies on a variety of social policy fields in which different, but also the same, IOs operate. The chapters shed light on IO involvement in a particular social policy field by describing the population of participating IOs; exploring how a particular global social policy field is constituted as a whole, and which dominant IOs set the trends. The contributors also examine the discourse within, and between, these IOs on the respective social policies. As such, this first-of-its kind book contributes to research on social policy and international relations, both in terms of theoretical substantiation and empirical scope.

Based on historical perspectives of evolution of major organizations and the latest developments of the 1990s, the analysis here focuses on financial market dynamics, monetary issues and labor market aspects. Reform options for selected international organizations are discussed including aspects of trade, foreign investment and international externalities. Game theoretic concepts are also applied.

This book brings together two major developments of the past decade: the collapse of the Soviet Union on the political side and "globalization" on the economic side. It shows that both of these drastic changes resulted in an increasing demand for regulation and guidance by international organizations, which on their side feel an increasing pressure for adjustment to the changed international agenda.