United Nations and the World.

The article discusses the role of the United Nations (UN) in shaping the current political map of the world. It explores the idea that if the UN were to disappear, the geopolitical status quo could change. The author highlights the incomplete history of the UN and introduces a book called "Building States" by Eva-Maria Muschik, which examines the work of the UN Secretariat in creating the contemporary nation-state system. The book argues that the Secretariat played a crucial role in legitimizing independent statehood and international oversight as solutions to political unrest after World War II. It also explores themes of autonomy and development within the UN. The article suggests that understanding the history of the UN is important for comprehending the current global challenges. [Extracted from the article]