ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the background of the puzzle that Pat faced when he first entered the field-why international civil servants had escaped the attention of IR scholars and why they deserve examination. It discusses specific issues that shape the behaviour of international civil servants. The subject of the capacity, role and impact of international civil servants is little understood not only because insufficient work has been done, but, more importantly, because their status as faceless and nameless officials is often taken too literally by international relations scholars. To understand international organisations, Pat believed author should appreciate other approaches that had at least given some attention to international civil servants, and to assess the degree to which they tackled the relevant issues.
