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The article makes preliminary suggestions to answer the following questions: "How is the global power distributed in contemporary international relations?" and "How does this distribution affect the options of the Brazilian external policies?" From the bipolarity of the Cold War to the fragmentation of the present-day agenda the topic of power sharing, a classic theme in international studies, is being discussed, and the positions Brazil could take in a context of multipolarity are outlined. (Polit Externa/DÜI)

Abstract This research delves into the way in which Hans Morgenthau had studied and discussed the United Nations as an organisation, mainly during its first twenty years. Drawing on the influence of Carl Schmitt and Hans Kelsen and on his own personal disappointment with the League of Nations, Morgenthau strongly criticized the UN. The author considers that the organisation propounds lofty principles but harbours old-style diplomacy. After establishing a succinct comparison with Raymond Aron, the article highlights the reasons for Morgenthau's criticism, including some abiding features of realism, such as the focus on great powers, a limited attribution of agency to other actors and an emphasis on security to the detriment of cooperative activities. It underlines how Morgenthau rejected the UN as a basis to build a world state. It concludes by arguing that Morgenthau's realism highlights the frailties of the UN but does not explain why states still insist in the multilateral institutions.United Nations, international organisation, Security Council, Hans Morgenthau, General Assembly