Realism and real politics. The gap between promise and practice in Bernard Williams’ realism

This paper seeks to show that Bernard Williams’ approach legitimacy falls short of its aspirations in ways cast doubt on fitness for guiding the practice future realist political theory. More precisely, focuses shortcomings realism establishing a connection (the practices of) politics, and how redeem those way would render them suitable The first substantive section considers compatible commitments diagnosis interpretation are, with he spells out his thought. second argues making good requires theorists rethink sources their insights basis claims, sketches pragmatist ethnographic approaches as promising examples realists could match theoretical practice.