In politics realists are analysts who claim to be able to understand the world as it is, rather than as others might wish it to be. They are vehement critics of Utopianism , and condemn political idealism for judging matters according to moral criteria, and for not knowing that power and self-interest are what explain political events and developments. Critics observe that it is not realistic of political realists to think that people are never motivated by ideals or moral values. Yet because realism counsels caution and pessimism about the principled nature of one's opponents and one's friends, its sage-like charms are never likely to disappear from the political lexicon. Realism is especially prevalent in international relations , partly because the absence of a world state make an analysis focused on power and self-interest more plausible than one grounded in the claims of morality and duty.
Realism is an important concept in fine art , drama and literature .
In fine art, critics use the term loosely, redefining it constantly in light of the work in question. For example, it is not a synonym for naturalism or illusionism , nor does it describe a mirror image of the world. But 'realism' anticipates this kind of Realism by many centuries. More recently, critics have used the term to designate the work of those, like Lucien Freud, whose figurative paintings tacitly oppose abstract impressionism. But this last use clearly shows the term's inadequacy as an artistic concept, since the works in question are 'realist' only in the sense that they are not abstract.