Crossword Genius

Is splitting the country but facing the facts (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

realism

'facing the facts' is the definition.

'is splitting the country' is the wordplay.
'splitting' indicates putting letters inside.
'the country' becomes 'realm' (I've seen this before).
'is' placed inside 'realm' is 'REALISM'.

'but' is the link.

(Other definitions for realism that I've seen before include "Non-abstract artistic style" , "True-to-life quality" , "Seeing things as they are" , "Practical approach" , "Artistic movement representing people and things as they actually are" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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