Realpolitik

Definition

Realpolitik is a pragmatic approach to politics and diplomacy based on practical considerations of power and national interest rather than moral, ideological, or ethical premises. Originating in 19th-century Prussian politics under Otto von Bismarck, realpolitik emphasizes the utility of power, the balance of forces, and the pursuit of achievable objectives over idealistic goals. In international relations, it is closely associated with the realist school of thought, which views states as rational actors in an anarchic system primarily concerned with security and survival. Practitioners like Henry Kissinger applied realpolitik to US foreign policy, pursuing détente with the Soviet Union and opening relations with China based on strategic calculus rather than ideological alignment.