Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2021, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is routinely heralded as one of the leading organs of global governance, yet it remains one of the least written about and least well understood of our major global institutions.

This fully revised and updated second edition builds a well-rounded understanding of this crucial, though often neglected, institution. A range of clearly written chapters chart the origins and evolution of the organization, comprehend its influence, examine its current agenda, and evaluate its future prospects. Rather than the simplified characterizations of the OECD as a "rich-country's club" or "think tank," this book suggests that truly understanding the OECD and its significance to global governance requires it to be conceived as the entity it truly is: an international organization.

New to this edition:

• Outlines the OECD's origins and evolution, bringing its story fully up to date
• Considers the 'OECD way' of working, including the peer review process
• Examines competing views of the OECD's influence over global governance
• Evaluates the OECD reform and the organization's future prospects

This concise introduction continues to be vital reading for all students of international relations, politics and world history and affairs.