American Strategic Culture and the Principles of Realpolitik

This paper examines American strategic culture within the context of realism, with particular emphasis on the influence of historical and cultural factors in shaping the foreign policy behavior of the United States. The starting assumption is that, although states operate within the same international environment, they do not respond in identical ways; rather, their decisions and strategic orientation depend to a significant extent on specific social and cultural patterns. In this context, the concept of strategic culture provides an analytical framework for understanding the American approach to global politics.
Particular attention is devoted to the phenomenon of American “exceptionalism,” which is often presented through liberal-democratic values, the promotion of human rights, and support for a rule-based international order. However, the analysis demonstrates that behind this narrative lies a consistent logic of realpolitik, manifested in the effort to preserve an American-led global order. The paper argues that U.S. foreign policy is grounded neither exclusively in idealism nor in realism, but rather represents a dynamic synthesis of both approaches, while liberal ideals often function as a means of legitimizing power politics. In this way, American strategic culture illustrates how historical experience and cultural specificities intersect with the structural constraints of the international system in shaping the behavior of a great power.