Journal Article - Quarterly Journal: International Security

The Rarity of Realpolitik: What Bismarck's Rationality Reveals about International Politics

    Author:
  • Brian Rathbun
| Summer 2018

Summary

Realpolitik is at the heart of realist approaches to foreign policy, but it requires a level of detached rationality that is rare among leaders. Otto von Bismarck’s role in German reunification demonstrates that Realpolitik is the exception and not the norm. 

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For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation:

Brian Rathbun, "The Rarity of Realpolitik: What Bismarck’s Rationality Reveals about International Politics," Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 7–55, doi:10.1162/isec_a_00323.

The Author

Brian Rathbun

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