Written by one of the world's leading academics in the field of the law of international organizations, this book provides what it claims to offer. It is an introduction as it gives in a nutshell an easy-to-read general overview. It is advanced in the sense that it is written on the basis of profound knowledge of the field, and it has an excellent bibliography for those who want more. Like Rembrandt in his later works, Jan Klabbers is painting with broad strokes, in his own style, providing those who are not experts in the field a modern framework for better understanding international organizations and their law.' - Niels Blokker, Leiden University, the Netherlands 'International organizations are a major factor in world affairs and in all areas of human collaboration. This book is a valuable resource next to existing textbooks and treatises on international institutional law. It offers a concise and engaging account of the role of international organisations and, in clear language, sets out what is the legal framework for their manifold activities and political operations. Great reading, and the essential introduction to international organisations as political and legal actors in the world today.' - Catherine Brölmann, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands 'This book offers far more than an introduction - even an advanced one. It is an essential tool for the understanding of, and further research on, international organizations. It is full of insight and original analysis.' - Marc Weller, University of Cambridge and Lauterpacht Centre for International Law, UK 'This book provides an excellent introduction to the law of international organizations, with a succinct and up-to-date analysis of the law. It is a very welcome addition to the literature on the subject and is by an established author in the field. It places the law in a wider political context, making it an interesting book for readers interested in both international law and international relations. The content and the style of presentation make the book accessible for readers at both introductory and advanced level.' - Surya Subedi, University of Leeds, UK and the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Cambodia Elgar Advanced Introductionsare stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. This highly readable introduction gives a nuanced overview of the legal mechanisms behind the operation of international organizations such as the UN, the EU and the World Bank. It offers perceptive insights by placing the law of international organizations in a political context and presents a systematic discussion of a variety of relevant legal notions, ranging from the powers of international organizations to mechanisms of accountability. Written by a leading authority on the topic, it provides a concise and accessible examination of this developing facet of international law. Key features include: - Well-written and clearly organized arguments - Up-to-date with the latest developments - A focus on the bigger picture, rather than any one detail - Discusses law in a global context.