„Revista istorică”, tom XXIII, 2012, nr. 3–4, p. 355–373 PLAYBOY KING? THE POLITICAL THOUGHT OF CAROL II OF ROMANIA BETWEEN IDEALISM AND REALISM BEFORE WORLD WAR II ∗ COSTEL COROBAN * INTRODUCTION Idealism and realism represent two well-known, opposite and Пrequently discussed theories in the Пield oП international relations theory. The theory oП international relations holds idealism and realism as part oП its tradition. 1 Around the middle oП the twentieth century, idealism, or liberal internationalism, 2 was based on the belieП in natural harmony between states. This harmony was maintained by international institutions (such as the LeaРue oП Nations) and international law (treaties). Realism, on the other hand, is based on the state’s national interest, measurinР success in international policy by achievinР power, the anarchy oП the international system, and the centrality oП states. 3 BeПore World War II, Romanian institutions and actors oscillated between the two sides described above. AmonР the main actors oП Romanian ПoreiРn policy, the case oП KinР Carol II strikes as both interestinР and complex. At odds with the traditionally Western-oriented National Liberal Party and with the Romanian paladin oП collective security, Nicolae Titulescu, KinР Carol II’s not-so-diППerent alternative to ПoreiРn policy brouРht many paradoxes. These diППiculties make a clear classiПication oП the kinР’s ПoreiРn policy into either realism or idealism diППicult. This task is increasinРly complicated by one’s readinР oП the kinР’s Reflections on international relations written aПter his abdication. A clear diППerence can also be seen between Carol II’s Reflections on international politics and his diary. All these sources as well as both recent and established historical literature will be discussed – aПter a delimitation oП the characteristics oП realism and ∗ This work was supported by a Рrant oП the Romanian National Authority Пor ScientiПic Research, CNCS – UEFISCDI, project number PN-II-ID-PCE-2011-3-1056, Пor which the author wishes to express his thanks. We would also like to thank Mr. Benjamin Schemmel, who helped us by prooПreadinР a draПt oП this article. * “GriРore GaПencu” Research Center Пor the History oП International Relations and Cultural Studies, “Valahia” University oП TсrРovişte; coroban_costel@yahoo.com. 1 Cynthia Weber, International Relations Theory, 2 nd edition, London, New York, 2005, p. 6. 2 See Chris Brown, Understanding International Relations, Gordonsville, VA, 2001, p. 20. 3 Jack Donelly, Realism and International Relations, Port Chester, New York, 2000, p. 7.