United Nations celebrates its fortieth anniversary. I am sure that under your wise leadership, the Ministers taking part in the meeting will prove able to transform this solemn commemoration into a well-articulated effort of collective reflection, in order to carry out the essential re- newal of this central mechanism for peace and security. 118. A great deal has been said-and it is to be expected that much more will be said in the next few days-about the idealistic inspiration of the authors of the Charter of the United Nations and about the supranational implica- tions inherent in their basic postulates and normative principles. 119. I disagree with that view. All the international insti- tutions that-kmerged from the Second Word War, in the political and the economic spheres, were imbued from the outset with the scepticism and bitterness that are inevitably born of historical experiences as devastating as wars. The statesmen of 1945, although they did promote guidelines of civilized conduct for the international community by defining the structure of the Organization, injected it with ‘a dose of hard realism based on their perception of the need for the five victorious Powers to have a tutelary role, and the corollary need to keep the weaker countries in a state of indefinite subordination. The United Nations therefore is the result of the interaction of profound moti- vations, both idealistic and pragmatic-motivations that are not always clear and not always readily compatible. 120. The United Nations has not replaced-indeed, it was never conceived of as a replacement for-the system of nation-States. Neither was it intended to be a mere forum for good will or harmless rhetoric. Therefore, there can be no sustained examination of the scope and limita- tions of the United Nations and of its principal organ 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech or statement about the United Nations, its history, and its role in international relations. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a high-level discussion or address. The text does not mention specific economic, environmental, or scientific issues, but rather focuses on the organization's structure, motivations, and limitations.

**Category**
International relations, Politics