What determines a person’s course of action? Is it based on ideals, often visionary beliefs, in order to achieve a means to an end, or rather, is it to accept the current conditions whilst taking into consideration the anticipated gains, costs, necessities and chance of success? One could argue that the latter would appear to be the more pragmatic choice. However, to state the idealism is without its merits is myopic.
In this modern age, it is believed that there is a common mutual interdependence amongst nations- much like the frail balance of an ecosystem- where an alteration in terms of one factor may have vast consequences to a seemingly unrelated outcome. Such is the nature of globalisation. In such a high stakes game, it would be madness to act solely on idealistic beliefs. As a result, to represent things in an ideal form, or as they might or should be rather than as they are, with emphasis on values, without considering the reality of the situation would be too great a risk to be deemed feasible. The violation of human rights occurs throughout many of the world’s nations. From an idealistic perspective, this phenomenon would be deemed undesirable, and we would naturally think that the complete eradication of such atrocities would hence be the most favourable course of action. However, in reality, this would amount to nothing more than a lofty pursuit. If a country should act unilaterally in invading another in order to exterminate such acts, the global consequence would be numerous. By espousing realism on the other hand, there are tangible benefits to be gained. Instead of leaning towards a zero-sum game mentality, where it is all or nothing, progressive steps could be taken in order to solve such a problem. Perhaps by establishing international ‘watchdog’ organisations such as the United Nations, policies could be put in place in order to methodically curb such problems. Although such methods do not ensure that the problem would indeed be solved entirely, it is a step in the right direction.
Faced with such stark realities, one would be inclined to believe that idealism holds little value when realism brings about such concrete outcomes whilst the former seems to advocate that the object of external perception consists of mere ideas. What is interesting when considering these factors is that idealism is more often than not, the basis of future realistic action. Many of the things we take for granted today was once the brain child of someone with a simple idea. It may not have amounted to much at the point of conception, but the process is nonetheless of vital importance. Take mankind’s fascination with flight for example. A couple of centuries ago, flight for man would have seemed improbable. However, with the constant belief that defying gravity is indeed possible, the Wright brothers altered the face of history. This idealistic goal has even propelled past aviation and has lead to advances in space technology by breaking the final frontier. In recent history, we can witness the benefits of idealism, where racial equality is concerned. Not too long ago, African-Americans were seen as the inferior race in the United States; subject to slavery by their white masters, they were deprived of many of the things we take for granted today, such as education, the right to vote or equality in employment. If not for the visionary aims of such figures as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr, slavery might still be a common practice in America. In King’s speech entitled “I have a dream” we see the embodiment of an idealistic aim, where although seemingly unrealistic at the time, is of vital importance in order to take realistic measures in the future.
In considering these binary opposites, it is important to note that simply gathering under either banner would be folly. Sheer idealism without undertaking a pragmatic outlook would indeed amount to nothing more than a dream, realism on the other hand , without any ultimate goal may yield some results an yet be without conviction. Hence, there is a need to acknowledge that despite being at opposite ends of the spectrum, the two are inextricably linked when anything of value is to be attained. We see examples of this fusion in our everyday lives. Take for example Singapore’s road to independence. What may have started out as mere nationalistic aspirations led to Singapore attaining self governance. However this did not come without a dose of realism as the British would only grant Singapore independence, if it was certain that it would not fall to communism. As a result, operation Cold Store was put in place, in order to exterminate communist movements on the island. Similarly, the Obama administration espouses such slogans as “change”, and “yes we can”. This does indeed seem like a grand ideal given the current economic situation. However, the importance of laying the foundations upon which realistic policies can be implemented so as to bring about this very change cannot be ignored.
Hence, it appears that it is a situational decision, of whether to adopt either notion or to integrate them to achieve a goal. For all the benefits of pragmatism, it must not be forgotten that realism is merely the process to which idealism was the impetus.
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