Abstract
This chapter has a dual purpose. Firstly, it evaluates the concept of Ethical and Christian Realism facing international conflicts. Secondly, it evaluates Realism’s religious, meaning also normative, roots. Since we are facing a ‘religious resurgence’ in global politics, it is essential to have a closer look at religious ethics, which are steadily replacing classical secular ethics in some cases. On the other hand, an examination of the Judeo-Christian tradition of Realism is vital for political research which wants to be relevant to policy making. This chapter illustrates the continuing importance of Realism and its ‘hidden history’1as an optimistic and progressive political strategy by taking a closer look at its particular virtues, such as the emphasis on the lesser evil. Special attention is paid to the Christian theological figure of the katéchon, a theological meta-source of (Christian) Realism. Despite this rather particular issue, the chapter aims to put the Realist ‘canon’, especially Hans Morgenthau, into the right light and do away with the conventional and misleading positivist interpretation of it.
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Notes
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© 2012 Jodok Troy
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Troy, J. (2012). Realism: overcoming evil. In: Christian Approaches to International Affairs. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137030030_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137030030_6
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