The only current comprehensive analysis of the United Nations, this book examines the United Nations system organ by organ and tests several hypotheses regarding how delegates to the United Nations view the organization. The United Nations came into legal existence in 1945, following the principles of the earlier League of Nations, with modifications. Although it has been more successful than the League, it is clear that the framers misjudged the readiness of states to accept the new system, as in their willingness to place permanent military contingents under the United Nations, to cooperate with one another regarding peace and security matters, and to support the collective security principle. However, it is important to continue research on the UN, since progress towards reduced threat of war seems more likely within the UN context than in other theoretical alternatives.