Transformative Contextual Realism

Abstract Realist political theory is often confronted with the objection that it biased towards status quo. Although this criticism overlooks fact realist theories contain various resources for critique, a approach strong in quo critique and contributes, constructively, to theorising of alternatives desideratum. The article argues contextual realism, which sources its normativity from particular contexts, harbours an underexploited potential establish such form theorising. By drawing on ideas principles have guided critical engagements social forms context, widely shared views need reform, realists can identify deficits contribute debate how these might be addressed. This describes illustrates idea transformative defends against some objections.