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Navy Journal 2019

IOR- a region of mistrust, that can be seen through three dimensions: Political,
Economic and Military dimensions. As Hossain and Islam (2016) observe while
quoting Potgieter, “the resultant effect of such geo-strategic competitions is
clear: IO region has been less stable, with much rivalry, competition, suspicion
and turmoil.” Though the true economic value of the Indian Ocean resources is
unknown, but the estimated value amounts to hundreds of trillion dollars, thus
the ancient name “Ratnakara” or the “repository of jewels” for the IO is more
than justified.

The origin of Realpolitik, as a debate about the possibilities of German
unification, was traced back in 1848 following European revolution. Its
originator was August Ludwig von Rochau, in the words of Duncan Kelly who
teaches politics at the University of Cambridge, “he was a radical who was jailed
for his politics as a student, worked in exile as a travel writer, then returned home
to Germany to become a political journalist and eventually, a politician”. He
published Grundsätze der Realpolitik (lightly translated as “Fundamentals of
Realpolitik”) in 1853. The arguments of the book particularly applied to the
waning confederation of German states.“To understand Realpolitik is simply to
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understand politics, no more, no less” says Duncan Kelly. According to
Jonathan Haslam, “the notion of reasons of state re-emerged under the cover of
Realpolitik in the Germany of the 19th century and in due course found its way
across Atlantic.” (Haslam 2002). By the same token, it can be argued that with
the shifting of the economic and strategic ‘Centre of Gravity’ to the IO,
Realpolitik has also found its platform in the IOR.
As an answer to the question of what exactly Realpolitik is, Encyclopedia
Britannica defines Realpolitik as a political philosophy; “Realpolitik, politics
based on practical objectives rather than on ideals. Realpolitik thus suggests a
pragmatic view and a disregard for ethical considerations. In diplomacy it is
often associated with relentless, though realistic, pursuit of the national
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interest.” Many IR proponents compare its philosophical approach with those
of realism and pragmatism simply referring Realpolitik as “pursuing pragmatic
policies” in politics.

12. Book Review of ‘Realpolitik: A History’, by John Bew @
https://www.ft.com/content/802c822e-d0d6-11e5-831d-09f7778e7377 accessed on 04 Dec 2018.
13. https://www.britannica.com/topic/realpolitik, accessed on 04 Dec 2018.

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