The word "realpolitik" comes from the German and refers to politicians viewing and taking action in the world in a realistic and practical manner rather than from a moral or ethical perspective. Realpolitik is a widely accepted theory of politics that focuses on considerations of hard and soft power, not ideals, morals, or principles.
The words "American hypocrisy" originates directly from the differences in statements of policy and actual actions taken by American politicians in Washington DC. Every American president, from George Washington to Barack Obama, and every Secretary of State finds himself/herself in the position of saying one thing in public pronouncements while actually carrying out quite different policies.
A good example of how Realpolitik and American hypocrisy often flow together can be observed in the revolution against the Mubarak regime that is now underway in Egypt. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has been in power since 1981. He has the reputation of ruling Egypt with an iron fist and is thought of as one of the most oppressive Arab leaders in a region of the world known for its despotic kings and dictators.
