International Leviathans

'By zooming in on UN transitional administrations, the book investigates broader dynamics in international politics and law. It is a story about the politicisation of international bureaucracies, the transformation of policies during implementation, and the interplay between local, national, and global governance. It is one of the best books on international organisations ever written, unique in its longue durée view.' Kseniya Oksamytna, Reader in International Politics, City St. George's, University of London. Author of Advocacy and Change in International Organizations: Communication, Protection, and Reconstruction in UN Peacekeeping (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2023)
'Prof. Lemay-Hébert has delivered an excellent project, mobilising a sociological approach to international relations to understand the progressive development of international administrations by international organisations. The book takes us from the League of Nations to the United Nations, from the Congo to Haiti, unearthing 'hidden transcripts' of the powerful along the way and shedding light on practices of sovereignty by international officials around the world. The result is a very compelling read, and a clear statement about the future of the study of sovereignty in international relations.' Guillaume Devin, Emeritus Professor, Sciences Po Paris