Realism

Realism, like the word real, can be defined as the belief in reality. A view that there is a form of ultimate truth even. ‘I argue that the most plausible version of realism is the correspondence theory of truth’ (Realism and the correspondence theory of truth, preface.) It is being able to comprehend and deal with a certain situation while at the same time accepting it. Realism finds its origins somewhere in the late nineteenth century dating from around 1830-1870. It was introduced in France after the 1848 revolution. With regards to Politics as a subject, it is the belief in Politics as a political power instead of a scenario with principles. Realism comes in many forms, for example, scientific realism is the belief that all truth can be found in the subject of science and the laws of Physics, a lot of people would disagree with this however. What about Moral Realism? That is, People believing that separated from culture there is an ethical and moral truth. Liberalism on the other hand is derived from the latin word liberalis meaning free. It is favouring reform for social progress rather than by revolution. It is having a free way of thinking in both aspects of life, the public and the private. Liberalism also dates back to the 18th century, the age of ‘enlightenment’ as it was known as back then. Like Realism, there are also many forms of Liberalism including; Classical Liberalism for example which was developed in the nineteenth century and which is a political ideology that stands by individual liberty including freedom of speech and religion. Also social liberalism which is the belief that liberalism should include social justice, therefore human rights and equality come into play
Realism and Liberalism can have major parts to play when discussing International Politics. As both display very different views on this subject matter. A liberalist would have a much different view on Internat ional Politics compared to a realist, International Politics can be

Cited: Realism and the correspondence Theory of Truth, Rowman and Littlefield. 2002. Text.