Realpolitik

Realpolitik is an idea that brings up the memory of Machiavelli, of politicians who care more about maintaining power than about any kind of morality. Bismarck was the epitome of this political trend - he openly said that he admired power, and he thought that he was destined for greatness, and he had a reputation for cynicism.

However, what he achieved, the unification of Germany, was much more than anyone else had been able to achieve, and in this way his realpolitik was able to achieve a romantic, idealist, nationalist dream - the German nation was able to come into being not only because of Bismarck, but because of its growing national feeling as well. Bismarck enabled national feeling to be expressed in his regime and achieved a goal the people of the nation had wanted.

Realpolitik, at least in this case, was a force for expressing what the people wanted. Rather than doing everything the people wanted, Bismarck achieved their overall goals. In Germany, at least, realpolitik let the leader get something done.