The exact wording is from a Wikipedia editor, but it's just a reformulation of the writings of John Bew in his book "Realpolitik: A History", which I recommend.

The exact wording is from a Wikipedia editor, but it's just a reformulation of the writings of John Bew in his book "Realpolitik: A History", which I recommend. Specifically, he's talking about the ideas of the 19th century German writer and politician Ludwig von Rochau, who originally coined the word "realpolitik".