The fourth edition of THE UNITED NATIONS heralds an organization at the crossroads of history. This best-selling text is a comprehensive volume of all that is relevant of the United Nations system from its inception to these opening years of the millennium, analyzing the history, processes, structure and functions of the organization. While the thread of terror weaves its way through the text, every effort has been made to discuss the world organization's continuing role in assisting nations and peoples in distress from underdevelopment, from population overload, from pandemic disease, and political instability.