Realpolitik

Realpolitik (German for "realistic politics") is foreign politics based on practical concerns (political expediency) rather than theory or ethics.

Related Topics:
German - Foreign politics - Theory - Ethics

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Otto von Bismarck coined the term after following Prince Klemens von Metternich's lead in finding ways to balance the power of European empires. Balancing power meant keeping the peace, and careful realpolitik practitioners tried to avoid arms races. However, during the early 20th century, realpolitik was abandoned for the doctrine of "Weltpolitik" and arms races and alliances increased, culminating in World War I.

Related Topics:
Otto von Bismarck - Coined - Prince Klemens von Metternich - Europe - Empire - Peace - 20th century - Doctrine - Weltpolitik - Alliances - World War I

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Realpolitik in many cases has been for the advancement of the national interests of a country over ethical or principled concerns.

Related Topics:
National - Country

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One of the most famous proponents was Niccolò Machiavelli, best known for his Il Principe (The Prince) (pb.1532). Machiavelli held that the sole aim of a prince was to seek power, regardless of religious or ethical considerations. The ideas were further expanded and implemented by Cardinal Richelieu and his raison d'etat in the Thirty Years War. The ancient Greek historian Thucydides, who wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War, is also cited as an intellectual forebearer of realpolitik. Other significant practitioners of realpolitik include Prince Metternich, Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, and Henry Kissinger.

Related Topics:
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince - Cardinal Richelieu - Raison d'etat - Thirty Years War - Thucydides - History of the Peloponnesian War - Prince Metternich - Count Camillo Benso di Cavour - Henry Kissinger

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Various political science schools of thought rely on an analysis of political actions as realpolitik, most notably the Realist and Marxian schools. In the "realist school" of Anglo-Saxon Political Science of the late 20th century this term is mostly used as a synonym for power politics. The policy of Realpolitik was formally introduced to the 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 purported opposition to communism and the previous doctrine of containment. Another example is Kissinger's 'green lighting' of dictator Suharto's invasion of East Timor.

Related Topics:
Realist - Marxian - Political Science - 20th century - Power politics - Nixon - White House - Henry Kissinger - People's Republic of China - Communism - Containment - Suharto - East Timor

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In Germany, the term Realpolitik is more often used to distinguish modest (realistic) politics from overzealeous (unrealistic) politics. That Prussia didn't demand territory from defeated Austria-Hungary provided the impetus for coining this term, as was the sometimes very slow or indirect steps towards German unification under Prussia. Realistic compromises are reached instead of clinging to values like justice or nationalism. Today, the "Realos" of a political party don't mind making compromises on issues to ensure at least some progress, while the "Fundis" (fundamentalists) avoid compromises, even if it means they can't join the decision making.

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