In other words, with Realpolitik.
This term was first introduced in 1853 by the German intellectual Ludwig von
Rochau.
4
Von Rochau characterized politics as a process determined by the logic
of power, considering justice, freedom, morality and legality as utopian and illfated values destined to be disproved by reality. The first traces of such a brutal
political realism can be found far back, in ancient times. From the philosopher
Trasimachus, who was quoted by Plato
5
and stated that justice is the law of the
strongest, right up to Niccolò Macchiavelli, who theorized how “States are not
ruled with paternoster in our hands”,
6
Realpolitik as a concept had surfaced and
resurfaced over the centuries. It was re-elaborated as a twentieth century elitarian
doctrine by Vilfredo Parèto,
7
Robert Michels
8
and Joseph Schumpeter.
9
The word
became a familiar term to the general public during the Cold War thanks to the
public speeches of Hans Morgenthau,
10
Henry Kissinger
11
and, most importantly,
Willy Brandt,
12
the German leader who became known as the Chancellor of
Realpolitik. It has since come to indicate a general political attitude imbued with
pragmatism and strategy.
Since 1972, no astronaut has returned to the Moon and no space agency has
been actively planning a new mission, because the Realpolitik of the superpowers
does not currently think of this form of space exploration as an instrument of geopolitical doctrine. At the opposite end is the ideological myth – the idea of space
exploration as an adventure beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, inspiring the public to
this day. Quite often we read articles or interviews that claim the child who will
walk on Mars in some years is already born, or within 20 years, we will grow
vegetables on the moon. These statements have the same validity as a weather
forecast made one year in advance, but since few will contradict them, they are too
often perceived as truthful and prophetic. Instead, we should look at the facts and
4
Trocini, Federico. 2009. L’invenzione della «Realpolitik» e la scoperta della «legge del
potere». August Ludwig von Rochau tra radicalismo e nazional-liberalismo. Il Mulino.
5
Plat. Repubblic. Book I.
6
Macchiavelli, Nicolò. Florentine Hystories. Book VII.
7
Parèto, Vilfredo. 1906. Manual of Political Economy.
8
Michels, Robert. 1915. «Zur Soziologie des Parteiwesens in der modernen Demokratie.
Untersuchungen über die oligarchischen Tendenzen des Gruppenlebens” translated in On the
Sociology of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy. Hearst’s International Library
Co.
9
Schumpeter, Joseph A. 1964. The Theory of Economic Development.
10
Morgenthau, Hans. 1992. Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace. Mc
Graw Hill.
11
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1966.html.
12
Brandt, Willy. 1971. Peace Policy in Our Time. Nobel Lecture, December 11th 1971.
Technopolitics of Space Between History and Realpolitik 69
This term was first introduced in 1853 by the German intellectual Ludwig von
Rochau.
4
Von Rochau characterized politics as a process determined by the logic
of power, considering justice, freedom, morality and legality as utopian and illfated values destined to be disproved by reality. The first traces of such a brutal
political realism can be found far back, in ancient times. From the philosopher
Trasimachus, who was quoted by Plato
5
and stated that justice is the law of the
strongest, right up to Niccolò Macchiavelli, who theorized how “States are not
ruled with paternoster in our hands”,
6
Realpolitik as a concept had surfaced and
resurfaced over the centuries. It was re-elaborated as a twentieth century elitarian
doctrine by Vilfredo Parèto,
7
Robert Michels
8
and Joseph Schumpeter.
9
The word
became a familiar term to the general public during the Cold War thanks to the
public speeches of Hans Morgenthau,
10
Henry Kissinger
11
and, most importantly,
Willy Brandt,
12
the German leader who became known as the Chancellor of
Realpolitik. It has since come to indicate a general political attitude imbued with
pragmatism and strategy.
Since 1972, no astronaut has returned to the Moon and no space agency has
been actively planning a new mission, because the Realpolitik of the superpowers
does not currently think of this form of space exploration as an instrument of geopolitical doctrine. At the opposite end is the ideological myth – the idea of space
exploration as an adventure beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, inspiring the public to
this day. Quite often we read articles or interviews that claim the child who will
walk on Mars in some years is already born, or within 20 years, we will grow
vegetables on the moon. These statements have the same validity as a weather
forecast made one year in advance, but since few will contradict them, they are too
often perceived as truthful and prophetic. Instead, we should look at the facts and
4
Trocini, Federico. 2009. L’invenzione della «Realpolitik» e la scoperta della «legge del
potere». August Ludwig von Rochau tra radicalismo e nazional-liberalismo. Il Mulino.
5
Plat. Repubblic. Book I.
6
Macchiavelli, Nicolò. Florentine Hystories. Book VII.
7
Parèto, Vilfredo. 1906. Manual of Political Economy.
8
Michels, Robert. 1915. «Zur Soziologie des Parteiwesens in der modernen Demokratie.
Untersuchungen über die oligarchischen Tendenzen des Gruppenlebens” translated in On the
Sociology of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy. Hearst’s International Library
Co.
9
Schumpeter, Joseph A. 1964. The Theory of Economic Development.
10
Morgenthau, Hans. 1992. Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace. Mc
Graw Hill.
11
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1966.html.
12
Brandt, Willy. 1971. Peace Policy in Our Time. Nobel Lecture, December 11th 1971.
Technopolitics of Space Between History and Realpolitik 69