realpolitik

American  

[rey-ahl-poh-li-teek, ree-] / reɪˈɑlˌpoʊ lɪˌtik, ri- /

Or Realpolitik

noun

1. political realism or practical politics, especially policy based on power rather than on ideals.

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realpolitik British  

/ reɪˈɑːlpɒlɪˈtiːk /

noun

1. a ruthlessly realistic and opportunist approach to statesmanship, rather than a moralistic one, esp as exemplified by Bismarck

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realpolitik Cultural  

1. Governmental policies based on hard, practical considerations rather than on moral or idealistic concerns. Realpolitik is German for “the politics of reality” and is often applied to the policies of nations that consider only their own interests in dealing with other countries.

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Other Word Forms

• realpolitiker noun

Etymology

Origin of realpolitik

First recorded in 1910–15; from German, equivalent to real real ¹ + Politik “politics, policy”; politic

Example Sentences

Most presidential administrations have claimed to operate according to a foreign policy doctrine of some kind: for instance, neoconservatism, liberal internationalism, isolationism, or realpolitik.

From Salon

He’s living up to a realpolitik maxim attributed to various Latin American caudillos: For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law.

From Los Angeles Times

Yesterday’s north star of global financial harmony has yielded to today’s realpolitik.

From Barron's

Yesterday’s north star of global financial harmony has yielded to today’s realpolitik.

From Barron's

Juvenile power fantasies are now meeting realpolitik and power.

From Salon

Related Words

• civics