Politcial Realism?

Off Topic Politics and World Issues
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If I was going to start indoctrinating myself into the political cadre subscribing to some of these basic tenets where would I start?

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[quote]theuofh wrote:
If I was going to start indoctrinating myself into the political cadre subscribing to some of these basic tenets where would I start? [/quote]

I’m not sure if I completely understand what you are asking, theuofh…but it seems like it would all start with “Looking at the Man in the Mirror” and being truthful with yourself. In other words:

“What are YOUR fundamental beliefs”? Then look for whose dogma most fits what you believe.

(Am I missing what you are asking for?)

Mufasa

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I’m looking for some recommended reading.

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[quote]theuofh wrote:
If I was going to start indoctrinating myself into the political cadre subscribing to some of these basic tenets where would I start? [/quote]

“The Prince” by Machiavelli and “The Annals” and “The Histories” by Tacitus.

I would start there and then explore Clausewitz, Hobbes, Thucydides, perhaps a little bit of Polybius or Cicero.

But you really must start with Machiavelli and Tacitus. In fact, in the minds of many political realism/realpolitik start and stop with those two. Most everything else that has come after Machiavelli hasn’t added anything new to the discourse, only restated with modern examples what he covered centuries ago.

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[quote]DBCooper wrote:

[quote]theuofh wrote:
If I was going to start indoctrinating myself into the political cadre subscribing to some of these basic tenets where would I start? [/quote]

“The Prince” by Machiavelli and “The Annals” and “The Histories” by Tacitus.

I would start there and then explore Clausewitz, Hobbes, Thucydides, perhaps a little bit of Polybius or Cicero.

But you really must start with Machiavelli and Tacitus. In fact, in the minds of many political realism/realpolitik start and stop with those two. Most everything else that has come after Machiavelli hasn’t added anything new to the discourse, only restated with modern examples what he covered centuries ago.[/quote]

Thanks. I will start there.