Alison Duxbury is an Associate Professor at Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, where she teaches international law, international humanitarian law and international institutions.

'… Duxbury's book represents a valuable contribution not only to the field of the history of international organisations but noticeably also to the literature on the law of international organisations. A clear structure and language, a solid methodology and a straightforward argumentation make the book an informative and stimulating read for a broad audience in the field of international law.' Sylvia Maus, Netherlands International Law Review

• Introduction; 1. The move to institutions in the age of rights; 2. The challenge of universality: the League of Nations and United Nations; 3. Rights, regionalism and participation in Europe; 4. Restricting the ranks: excluding states from closed organisations; 5. The relationship between powers, purposes and participation in specialised organisations; 6. Legitimacy, democracy and membership; Conclusion.