Political Realism and Realpolitik

TY - CHAP

T1 - Political Realism and Realpolitik

AU - Bew, John

PY - 2018/11

Y1 - 2018/11

N2 - This chapter examines the origins of the German term ‘Realpolitik’ and traces its influence on the English-speaking ‘realist’ tradition of the 20th century. It shows that the meaning of such terms has repeatedly changed, depending on historical context, to make the broader point that notions of ‘the real’ in international affairs are highly contingent on time and place. The chapter begins by tracing the emergence of the neologism ‘Realpolitik’ in the mid-19th century at the hands of a liberal writer, August Ludwig von Rochau, in 1853. It then discusses the distortion of the word in Germany as it was purloined by the followers of Bismarck, then damagingly conflated with Machtpolitik and Weltpolitik. The second half of the chapter discusses the arrival of realpolitik into the English language during the Anglo-German antagonism, when it was treated with alarm, as the distinguishing mark of a dangerous new rival and a direct affront to the liberal internationalism of the early 20th century. Too much has been made of the influence of Germanic realpolitik on the various tributaries that have flowed into American realism. In fact, postwar American realism has mostly beendistinguished by its insistence on restraint and a tone of righteous despair that the American nation was fated to ignore its prescriptions.

AB - This chapter examines the origins of the German term ‘Realpolitik’ and traces its influence on the English-speaking ‘realist’ tradition of the 20th century. It shows that the meaning of such terms has repeatedly changed, depending on historical context, to make the broader point that notions of ‘the real’ in international affairs are highly contingent on time and place. The chapter begins by tracing the emergence of the neologism ‘Realpolitik’ in the mid-19th century at the hands of a liberal writer, August Ludwig von Rochau, in 1853. It then discusses the distortion of the word in Germany as it was purloined by the followers of Bismarck, then damagingly conflated with Machtpolitik and Weltpolitik. The second half of the chapter discusses the arrival of realpolitik into the English language during the Anglo-German antagonism, when it was treated with alarm, as the distinguishing mark of a dangerous new rival and a direct affront to the liberal internationalism of the early 20th century. Too much has been made of the influence of Germanic realpolitik on the various tributaries that have flowed into American realism. In fact, postwar American realism has mostly beendistinguished by its insistence on restraint and a tone of righteous despair that the American nation was fated to ignore its prescriptions.

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781474423304

BT - The Edinburgh Companion to Political Realism

A2 - Schuett, Robert

A2 - Hollingworth, Miles

PB - Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

ER -