The Metaphysical Meaning of Realism

Chiyune: Malcolm Shimer says America is not a realist country. He argues that it can't run on, legitimate itself by or inspire a sense of genuine national cohesion through realism. Chiyune: American political culture will demand a more elevated rhetoric but this does not require forfeiting an actually realist foreign policy. And so I guess what do you guys make of this whole debate? Why is it flaring up now and if anybody has the right description of this describes them as "realists"