Realpolitik

Realpolitik is an approach to politics that prioritizes practical constraints, national interests, and power over ideological principles or moral ideals.

Balance of power: A distribution of power among states intended to prevent any one from dominating the others. Realpolitik often treats shifting power balances as a guide to alliances and policy.
Ludwig von Rochau: A German journalist and political thinker who introduced the term Realpolitik in a book published in 1853. His writing gave the approach its name amid debates over German political unification.
Idealism in international relations: An approach to international relations that emphasizes cooperation, law, and the possibility of progress through institutions. It gives greater weight to shared principles and institutions than Realpolitik typically does.
Nixon's opening to China: The diplomatic initiative begun by U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1972 to improve relations with the People's Republic of China. The rapprochement pursued strategic advantage despite deep ideological differences.
National interest: The goals a state pursues to protect its security, prosperity, and influence. It supplies the practical standard by which Realpolitik judges political choices.
German revolutions of 1848–1849: A series of uprisings and political movements seeking liberal reform and national unity in the German states. Their failure helped prompt Rochau's emphasis on political forces over abstract ideals.
Political realism: A family of political thought that explains politics through power, conflict, and the pursuit of interests. Realpolitik is a practical style of statecraft, while political realism is a broader tradition of analysis.
Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact: A 1939 non-aggression agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that included secret protocols dividing parts of Eastern Europe. The pact illustrates temporary cooperation between hostile regimes for strategic gain.
Diplomacy: The management of relations between states through negotiation, representation, and other peaceful means. Negotiation lets governments pursue interests without relying solely on force.
Otto von Bismarck: A Prussian statesman who led the unification of Germany and served as its first chancellor. His flexible diplomacy and use of force became prominent examples associated with Realpolitik.

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