Quotes About Political realism

Obama is cutting back on the idea that we're going to have Jeffersonian democracy in Pakistan or anywhere else.

In the United States today, the Declaration of Independence hangs on schoolroom walls, but foreign policy follows Machiavelli.

Anyone who does not see that there is a 'struggle for power' element is naïve; anyone who sees nothing but this aspect is a false realist.

In politics, as in every other sphere of life, there are two important principles for a man of any sense: don't cherish too many illusions, and never stop believing that every little bit helps.

Conservatism is the politics of reality

Politics move, as fast as Twitter, and for everyone to think that in four years America was going to be perfect is ridiculous.

There aren't many idealists in politics.

The false prophets belonged to the socially and religiously acceptable institution of "professional" prophets who responded to the needs of their time. They operated from within the limited perspectives of their contemporaries: Realpolitik and vox populi.

Zodra mensen zich niet langer iets aantrekken van wat voor politiek realistisch doorgaat, opent zich een heel nieuwe wereld vol mogelijkheden" - interview De Groene Amsterdammer 7/8/2014

Please do not assume that you can change governments. Young people don't understand this.

The Soviet government is the most realistic regime in the world - no ideals.

The practical statesman took precedence over the uncompromising prophet.

Bush doesn't present himself as a realpolitik politician.

sentimental realism. Putin insisted that 'He who does not regret the break-up of the Soviet Union has no heart; he who wants to revive it in its previous form has no head'.36 Many in

Whereas devotees of globalization stress what unifies humankind, traditional realists stress what divides us.

You know in the West they support realistic forces.

Today, Democrats not only have the White House; they have the Senate too. So we have to be realistic about what we can and cannot achieve, while at the same recognizing that realism should never be confused with capitulation.

Realists value order above freedom: for them the latter becomes important only after the former has been established.

The common saying is "I'll believe it when I see it," but human perception is more accurately characterized as "I'll see it when I believe it." In international politics where expectations of hostility are common, the results are often unfortunate.

realpolitik

The 'West Wing' writers room would not have come up with the idea of running a presidential campaign in which an African-American gets elected. Because the realism view would have said that's not possible.

We can not play innocents abroad in a world that is not innocent.

Politics is not a game for naive thinkers. You may go in as an idealist, but you certainly won't come out as one.

Thucydides said, "The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.