Insights on Law & Society: The United Nations and the Rule of Law

Volume 11, no. 3, Spring 2011

This 32-page issue of Insights includes:

The Role of the United Nations in International Law

Kelly-Kate Pease provides an overview of how the United Nations functions as an intergovernmental organization that creates and implements international law.

The U.N. Security Council: The Most Powerful Organ in History

Kristen Boon explores how the U.N. Security Council has become what some describe as ?the most powerful organ in history,? creating international policy and mandating international action.

International Criminal Court Bringing World Promised Justice?

T. Markus Funk traces the development of the International Criminal Court and discusses current challenges facing the court, charged with hearing some of the world?s worst cases.

Perspectives: What challenges will the United Nations face over the next 20 years?

Several experts describe challenges facing the United Nations, including preventing humanitarian crises, harnessing nuclear technology, trusting the international community, and working with outside practitioners to achieve rule of law goals.

Students in Action: Civic Voices Profile Activists for Change Around the World

David Stieber highlights the Civic Voices: An International Democracy Memory Bank Project, which he has used with his own students.

Learning Gateways: The United States and the International Criminal Court

In this lesson, students compare the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights to excerpts from the Rome Statute, and then debate whether or not the United States should ratify the treaty.