International organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the European Union and the World Bank play an increasing role in international politics. Substantially adapted for its first English publication from its third German edition, this broad-ranging and up-to-date textbook provides a theoretical and empirical introduction to the politics and policies of such organizations.

Table of Contents

PART I: THEORY AND HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Introduction Theories of International Organizations History of International Organizations PART II: POLICY-MAKING IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS International Organizations as Political Systems Actors' Demands and Support: The Input Dimension Decision-Making in International Organizations: The Conversion Process What International Organizations Produce: The Output Dimension PART III: THE ACTIVITIES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Security Welfare The Environment Human Rights

Author Biography

VOLKER RITTBERGER is Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Institute of Political Science, University of Tnbingen, Germany. BERNHARD ZANGL is Professor of International and Transnational Relations and Director of the Institute for Intercultural and International Studies, University of Bremen, Germany. MATTHIAS STAISCH is a Doctoral Research Studies, University of Chicago, USA.