Question

Briefly explain one difference in the practice of real politik by Louis Napoleon and Otto van Bismarck

Answer 1

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte's seizure of power was the product of just another coup de etat. One of his guiding principles is found in his deep belief in the power of the middle class and its nationalist connotations with some similarities to the social policies of Bismarck.

Louis was mainly supported by the low classes, the peasants, He used his mandate to abolish the recently created representative assembly, in order to marginalize the liberal factions, finally becoming himself a new emperor in the second middle of the IX th century. Shortly after being in power he restored universal suffrage.

On the other hand: Bismarck’s realpolitik policies were employed in response to the failed revolutions of 1848 as a way of strengthening the state system and tighten social order. As the most famous advocate of Realpolitik,  Otto became the first Chancellor, serving in the Kingdom of Prussia. The use of Realpolitik had him achieve Prussian dominance in Germany. Manipulating political issues causing antagonism in other countries and causing or engaging in wars if necessary, "the end justified the means".