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Realpolitik (German language:
real ("realistic", "practical" or "actual") and
Politik ("politics") refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on practical considerations, rather than ideological notions. The term realpolitik is often used pejoratively to imply politics that are coercive, amoral, or
Machiavellian.
Origin and use of the term
The term was coined by
Ludwig August von Rochau, a German writer and politician in the 19th century, following
Klemens Wenzel von Metternich's lead in finding ways to balance the power of European empires. Balancing power to keep the European
pentarchy was the means for keeping the peace, and careful
Realpolitik practitioners tried to avoid
arms races.
As used in the U.S., the term is often similar to
power politics, while in Germany,
Realpolitik is to describe modest (realistic) politics in opposition to overzealous (unrealistic) politics, though it is associated with the nationalism of the 19th century. The most famous German advocate of
Realpolitik was Otto von Bismarck, Kingdom of Prussia First Chancellor (1862-1870) to
William I, German Emperor. Bismarck used
Realpolitik to achieve Prussian dominance in Germany, as he manipulated political issues such as Schleswig-Holstein and the Hohenzollern candidature to antagonise other countries and possibly with the intention of war. Characteristic of Bismarck's political action was an almost
Machiavellian policy; he acted with little regard to ethics, morals or legalities. Prussia's seemingly illogical move of not demanding territory from a defeated Austria, a move that later lead to the unification of Germany, is one of the often-cited examples of
Realpolitik.
Similarly, in the Alliance '90/The Greens, people willing to compromise are referred to as
Realos (realists), and opponents as
Fundis (fundamentalists or ideologues).
Realpolitik in contrast to ideological politics
The policy of
realpolitik was formally introduced to the Richard Nixon White House by
Henry Kissinger. In this context, the policy meant dealing with other powerful nations in a practical manner rather than on the basis of political doctrine or ethics — for instance, Nixon's diplomacy with the
People's Republic of China, despite the U.S.'s opposition to communism and the previous doctrine of containment. Another example is Kissinger's "shuttle diplomacy" after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, where he persuaded the Israelis to withdraw partially from the Sinai in deference to the political realities created by the oil crisis.
Realpolitik is distinct from ideological politics in that it is not dictated by a fixed set of rules, but instead tends to be goal-oriented, limited only by practical exigencies. Since realpolitik is ordered toward the most practical means of securing national interests, it can often entail compromising on ideological principles. For example, the U.S. under the Nixon and Reagan administrations often supported authoritarian regimes that were human rights violators, in order to, theoretically, secure the greater national interest of regional stability. Detractors would characterize this attitude as amoral, while supporters would contend that they are merely operating within limits defined by practical reality.
Most recently, former ambassador Dennis Ross advocated this approach to foreign policy in his 2007 book
Statecraft: And how to Restore America's Standing in the World.
In contrast, political ideologues tend to favor principle over all other considerations. Such groups often reject compromises which they see as the abandonment of their ideals, and so sacrifice short-term political gain in favor of adhering to their principles.
Relation to realism
A foreign policy guided by
realpolitik can also be described as a realism in international relations foreign policy.
Realpolitik is related to realism and can be regarded as one of its foundations, as both implicate power politics.
Realpolitik, however, is a prescriptive guideline for policy-making (like foreign policy), while realism is a paradigm that includes a wide variety of theories that describe, explain and predict international relations.
Realpolitik also focuses on the balance of power among nation-states, which is also a central concern in realism. Both also imply operation according to the belief that politics is based on the pursuit, possession, and application of power.
See also
Realpolitik (
German language:
real ("realistic", "practical" or "actual") and
Politik ("politics") refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on practical considerations, rather than ideological notions. The term realpolitik is often used pejoratively to imply politics that are coercive, amoral, or Machiavellian.
Origin and use of the term
The term was coined by Ludwig August von Rochau, a German writer and politician in the 19th century, following Klemens Wenzel von Metternich's lead in finding ways to balance the power of European empires. Balancing power to keep the European pentarchy was the means for keeping the peace, and careful
Realpolitik practitioners tried to avoid arms races.
As used in the U.S., the term is often similar to power politics, while in Germany,
Realpolitik is to describe modest (realistic) politics in opposition to overzealous (unrealistic) politics, though it is associated with the nationalism of the 19th century. The most famous German advocate of
Realpolitik was
Otto von Bismarck,
Kingdom of Prussia First Chancellor (1862-1870) to
William I, German Emperor. Bismarck used
Realpolitik to achieve Prussian dominance in Germany, as he manipulated political issues such as Schleswig-Holstein and the Hohenzollern candidature to antagonise other countries and possibly with the intention of war. Characteristic of Bismarck's political action was an almost Machiavellian policy; he acted with little regard to ethics, morals or legalities. Prussia's seemingly illogical move of not demanding territory from a defeated Austria, a move that later lead to the unification of Germany, is one of the often-cited examples of
Realpolitik.
Similarly, in the
Alliance '90/The Greens, people willing to compromise are referred to as
Realos (realists), and opponents as
Fundis (fundamentalists or ideologues).
Realpolitik in contrast to ideological politics
The policy of
realpolitik was formally introduced to the
Richard Nixon White House by
Henry Kissinger. In this context, the policy meant dealing with other powerful nations in a practical manner rather than on the basis of political doctrine or ethics — for instance, Nixon's diplomacy with the People's Republic of China, despite the U.S.'s opposition to
communism and the previous doctrine of
containment. Another example is Kissinger's "shuttle diplomacy" after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, where he persuaded the Israelis to withdraw partially from the Sinai in deference to the political realities created by the oil crisis.
Realpolitik is distinct from ideological politics in that it is not dictated by a fixed set of rules, but instead tends to be goal-oriented, limited only by practical exigencies. Since realpolitik is ordered toward the most practical means of securing national interests, it can often entail compromising on ideological principles. For example, the U.S. under the Nixon and Reagan administrations often supported authoritarian regimes that were human rights violators, in order to, theoretically, secure the greater national interest of regional stability. Detractors would characterize this attitude as amoral, while supporters would contend that they are merely operating within limits defined by practical reality.
Most recently, former ambassador Dennis Ross advocated this approach to foreign policy in his 2007 book
Statecraft: And how to Restore America's Standing in the World.
In contrast, political ideologues tend to favor principle over all other considerations. Such groups often reject compromises which they see as the abandonment of their ideals, and so sacrifice short-term political gain in favor of adhering to their principles.
Relation to realism
A foreign policy guided by
realpolitik can also be described as a realism in international relations foreign policy.
Realpolitik is related to realism and can be regarded as one of its foundations, as both implicate power politics.
Realpolitik, however, is a prescriptive guideline for policy-making (like foreign policy), while realism is a
paradigm that includes a wide variety of theories that describe, explain and predict international relations.
Realpolitik also focuses on the balance of power among nation-states, which is also a central concern in realism. Both also imply operation according to the belief that politics is based on the pursuit, possession, and application of power.
See also
REALpolitik
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Realpolitik - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Realpolitik (German: real ("realistic", "practical" or "actual") and politik ("politics")) refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on practical considerations, rather than ...
Realpolitik
A cross-platform tool for displaying, adjudicating and tracking games and variants. Features downloads, manual, and forums.
realpolitik - Hutchinson encyclopedia article about realpolitik
realpolitik. Belief that the pragmatic pursuit of self-interest and power, backed up by force when convenient, is the only realistic option for a great state.
realpolitik - definition of realpolitik by the Free Online Dictionary ...
re·al·po·li·tik (r-äl p l-t k) n. A usually expansionist national policy having as its sole principle advancement of the national interest. [German : real, practical (from ...
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The world's largest development and download repository of Open Source code and applications ... Realpolitik is a cross-platform (Mac/Win32) viewer and adjudicator for the game ...
Realpolitik
Downloads. Realpolitik comes with absolutely no warranty. This is free software and you are welcome to distribute it under certain conditions.
realpolitik definition |Dictionary.com
noun . political realism or practical politics, esp. policy based on power rather than on ideals.
Dictionary of Difficult Words - Realpolitik
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2000 AD books - Rogue Trooper - Realpolitik
A GHOST. A LEGEND. A ONE-MAN ARMY. In the war-torn Nu Earth the legendary Rogue Trooper is dying due to a flaw in his genetic engineering. Now it’s up to two Souther scientists ...
