Realpolitik

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/realpolitik

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How big is Realpolitik?National security, economic prosperity, and the balance of power
2. What is the origin of term?Germany, 19th century, popularized by figures like Otto von Bismarck
3. What is the prominent historical figures?Otto von Bismarck, Henry Kissinger
4. Why do leaders use Realpolitik instead of being kind?Leaders use Realpolitik because they want to keep their country safe and strong. They look at what will help their country the most, even if it means working with people who have different ideas.
5. How did Otto von Bismarck use Realpolitik?Otto von Bismarck used Realpolitik to unite Germany. He made smart friendships and used careful talks and sometimes war to bring all the German states together.

Realpolitik: A foreign policy approach prioritizing practical, national interests and power dynamics over ethical or ideological considerations.
National Interest: The perceived interests of a nation, typically concerning its security, economic well-being, and political influence.
Balance of Power: A state of affairs in which the power is distributed among states in such a way that no single state is strong enough to dominate all others.
Pragmatism: A philosophical approach that emphasizes practical results and consequences as the basis for truth and value.