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Realpolitik for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ri'ɑl,poʊlɪ'tik

What does Realpolitik really mean?

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Hey there! I see you're curious about the word "Realpolitik." No worries, I'm here to explain it to you in the simplest way possible, so you can understand it effortlessly.

Realpolitik is not a common word we hear every day, but it's something important to know about because it describes a particular way of doing things in the world of politics. Basically, Realpolitik is the idea that when countries or leaders make decisions, they prioritize their own interests and power above anything else. It means that they focus on what will benefit their country the most, regardless of any moral or ethical concerns.

Imagine you have a group of friends, and you find out that one of them is plotting to steal your lunch every day. Realpolitik would mean that instead of confronting that friend directly or seeking a peaceful solution, you might try to gather evidence and expose their plot to the whole group, so that your friends would turn against them. It's all about putting your own interests first, even if it means making decisions that might not seem fair or nice.

In international relations, governments often follow a Realpolitik approach. They focus on gaining advantages for their own country, sometimes even if it means engaging in tactics that might not seem very friendly or moral. For example, if a country wants access to a valuable resource like oil, they might make deals with other countries that have that resource, even if those countries have a poor human rights record or don't share the same values.

To sum it up, Realpolitik means making decisions based on what is best for one's own interests and power, without considering moral or ethical concerns. It's all about prioritizing the advantage of a country or a leader, even if it means making choices that might not seem fair or nice. So, what do you think? Did that explanation help you understand this intricate word?


Revised and Fact checked by Brian Anderson on 2023-10-29 16:09:17

Realpolitik In a sentece

Learn how to use Realpolitik inside a sentece

  • When countries make decisions based on what is best for their own national interest rather than considering moral or ethical concerns, it is an example of Realpolitik.
  • If a leader forms alliances with other countries to achieve economic or strategic advantages, it is an example of Realpolitik.
  • When a country negotiates treaties or agreements with other nations to protect its own security and stability, it is an example of Realpolitik.
  • Sometimes, nations might engage in Realpolitik by supporting authoritarian regimes in other countries if it benefits their own political or economic goals.
  • If a country decides to enter into a war or conflict in order to safeguard its own territorial integrity or maintain its influence in a region, it can be seen as an example of Realpolitik.

Realpolitik Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Realpolitik Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.