In his most recent book, “State Art,” the almost 100-year-old former US Secretary of State and political veteran from Germany, Henry Kissinger, distinguishes between two types of politicians, the prophet and the statesman. One starts from truth, the other from utility. Of course, the prophet must despise the Realpolitiker, writes Kissinger, because they allegedly betray universal principles on the altar of opportunity. And vice versa, it is no better: the statesman is suspicious of the idealist because the individual can be sacrificed in favor of the vision.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is currently traveling in North America, having previously been to Greece and Turkey. Of course, she is initially a well-rounded prophetess of good, but she seems to be developing towards a “stateswoman” in Kissinger’s sense. The only question is how quickly she gets the curve – or whether she really wants it at all.
—
