<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>In International Organizations (IOs), noble ideals often clash with harsh realities on the ground. It should therefore come as no surprise if IO employees become cynical over time. However, while there is a large body of work on “organizational cynicism” in sociology and management studies, a systematic examination of cynicism is lacking in IO research. The article addresses this gap and explores the causes and consequences of cynicism among IO staff based on insights gained in 50+ in-depth interviews with staff members at the UN Secretariat from 2020 to 2022.</p>
</abstract>

In International Organizations (IOs), noble ideals often clash with harsh realities on the ground. It should therefore come as no surprise if IO employees become cynical over time. However, while there is a large body of work on “organizational cynicism” in sociology and management studies, a systematic examination of cynicism is lacking in IO research. The article addresses this gap and explores the causes and consequences of cynicism among IO staff based on insights gained in 50+ in-depth interviews with staff members at the UN Secretariat from 2020 to 2022.

Working for World Peace: Between Idealism and Cynicism in International Organizations

Swiss Journal of Sociology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

In International Organizations (IOs), noble ideals often clash with harsh realities on the ground. It should therefore come as no surprise if IO employees...

Working for World Peace: Between Idealism and Cynicism in International Organizations

Published Online: Mar 03, 2023

Page range: 21 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjs-2023-0003

Keywords
Cynicism, international organizations, United Nations, hypocrisy, leadership

© 2023 Ben Christian, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Working for World Peace: Between Idealism and Cynicism in International Organizations

Published Online: Mar 03, 2023

Page range: 21 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjs-2023-0003

KeywordsCynicism, international organizations, United Nations, hypocrisy, leadership

© 2023 Ben Christian, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Cynicism, international organizations, United Nations, hypocrisy, leadership