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Realpolitik (German: [ʁeˈaːlpoliˌtiːk] ; from German real 'realistic, practical, actual' and Politik 'politics') is the approach of conducting diplomatic or political policies based primarily on considerations of given circumstances and factors, rather than strictly following ideological, moral, or ethical premises.[1][2] In this respect, it shares aspects of its philosophical approach with those of realism and pragmatism.[3][4]
While generally used as a positive or neutral term, Realpolitik has been also used pejoratively to imply political policies that are perceived as being coercive, amoral, or Machiavellian.[5] Prominent proponents of Realpolitik include Otto von Bismarck, Henry Kissinger, George F. Kennan, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Deng Xiaoping, Charles de Gaulle, and Lee Kuan Yew.[6] The opposite of Realpolitik is Idealpolitik.
- ^ Ikenberry, G. John (2017-04-14). "Realpolitik: A History". Foreign Affairs. Vol. 96, no. 3. ISSN 0015-7120. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "realpolitik | Etymology of realpolitik by etymonline". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Bew, J. (2016). Realpolitik: A History. pg. 8.
- ^ "Realpolitik | Power, Pragmatism, Realism | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-10-12. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ Humphreys, Adam R. C. (2014). Gibbons, Michael T; Ellis, Elisabeth; Coole, Diana; Ferguson, Kennan (eds.). Realpolitik. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. pp. 3151–3152. doi:10.1002/9781118474396. ISBN 9781118474396.
- ^ "Hans-Dietrich Genscher: A Life of Longing for Stability". www.handelsblatt.com. Retrieved 2022-02-02.