Realpolitik    (pronounced ray-ahl-poh-lih-teek) noun


Definition

1. politics (or a national policy) guided by national interest rather than by ideals or moral objectives.    2. a set of doctrines or principles based on practicality or self-interest rather than ethical considerations.

Main Example

  • Campaigning for the recall election in California was marked by hostility and harsh verbal attacks. Yet, no sooner was the election over, both the Republican governor and the Democratic legislature expressed a keenness to work together. Why? Because each side is pursuing realpolitik, knowing that inflexibility will not be rewarded by voters, come the next election.

    Workplace Examples

  • It was sensible of Henry to go along with the other managers and support the outsourcing idea, even though he is opposed to contracting out any work. Next year, he'll need everyone's support to push his pet project through. Henry is wise . . . basically, he is a realpolitik kind of guy!

  • I agree with you that it would have been in our long-term national interest to get the other nations on board before attacking Iraq. However, given Saddam's record of evil--the use of chemical weapons, the torture or killing of tens of thousands of dissidents, and so on--don't you think that we may have been justified in abandoning realpolitik and acting unilaterally this one time? I just wish the postwar situation had been handled more competently.

    Other Examples

  • a monopoly, eager to avoid any lawsuits on antitrust grounds, exercising realpolitik by keeping distributors and users constantly involved in its new product development and marketing strategy

  • for reasons of realpolitik, Pakistan--a vital ally in the war against terrorism--not being chastised by the U.S. for having secretly supplied nuclear technology to North Korea

  • some analysts theorizing that France opposed the U.S. attack on Iraq for moral reasons, while others saying it was for realpolitik considerations because of France's commercial ties with the Saddam Hussein regime

    © 2003 V.J. Singal

    This Month's Other Words

    Equanimity
    Idolatry and Idolatrous
    Galvanic and Galvanize
    Unalloyed
    Insular
    Excoriate
    Perfunctory

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