Analyzing Inspiration and Reality Through Idealism vs. realism

Timeless Issues
2 min readFeb 8, 2021

The clash of concepts has always been the basis of endless arguments. The difference in the perception of the idealists and realists is like a vast sea where the endless arguments keep on coming back through the ages. Realism and Idealism are two opposing concepts, and the chief point of difference is the viewpoint about power. The Realists believe that power has a role to play in society, and it needs proper management. But the Idealists reject the presence of power and discuss the factors that prove how crucial it is to eliminate the undesirable factor.

Power and politics

There are factors that support both concepts. According to the Idealists, the World of Realism is reactionary and morbid. The idealists claim that realists use self-serving views to find opportunities to help them reach the pinnacle of power. This tactic is very common in the world of politics. But the idealists despise such concentration of power to a single political party or individual that becomes the source of all problems.

Struggle for power

According to the thesis of realists, you cannot eliminate the concept of power as the struggle for acquiring power is normal in Nature. But when you listen to the arguments of Idealism vs. realism, you will hear the idealists argue that the accumulation of power in any one section of the community cannot be a healthy practice, and it can be a fatalistic orientation. To eliminate the power struggle and the regular wars, you have to put in conscious efforts that should maintain the adherence to strict moral values.

Renunciation and politics

According to the idealists, politics will be pure only when it will involve renunciation where the people involved will abandon forcible tactics for procuring power. It is better to encourage people to pursue education and develop the scientific aspects for the overall development of humans. Idealists always reject the ideologies of the realists as they do not believe in war. Peace is the only truth that can enlighten the human race. Wars only bring about destruction and hinder the development of the race.

Practical thinking aspect

On the other hand, when the Realists put forward their views, you cannot negate the logic in their words. According to the realists, the principle of the idealists is completely utopian. After all, how can someone ignore the realities of politics and human Nature? There is no harm in pursuing self-interest, as everyone has the right to dream and achieve a goal in life. Realists always support the existence of prudence, which should be the guide to every action.

Extreme views

Whenever you analyze the typical Idealism vs. realism arguments, you will feel that both follow extreme ideologies. It is wrong to accept or advocate the primacy of supreme power and incompatibility of the interests when dealing with international relations. Similarly, Ideologists wrongly ignore the role of power and the practical scenario of life. Neither of the two approaches portrays the correct Nature of international reality.

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