"International organizations (IOs) are essential yet controversial actors in world politics today. This timely and engaging new title offers a comprehensive overview of major IOs and their role in global governance. [This book] presents a variety of theoretical approaches to analyzing the roles and impact of IOs. It then offers comprehensive, historically-grounded overviews of the most influential IOs--the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and World Trade Organization. A detailed case study on each illuminates the constraints and challenges it faces in areas such as conflict resolution, development, the environment, trade, and financial crisis. This important new text also examines regional organizations, with an emphasis on the European Union and the euro crisis and the African Union's peace operations."--