Politics Recovered: Realist Thought in Theory and Practice

Contemporary political theory is often accused of being out of touch with real politics due to its tendency toward abstraction, idealization, moralism, and utopianism. Realist political thought, which has experienced a revival of interest, seeks to avoid these pitfalls by remaining attentive to the distinctiveness of politics and the ways its realities should shape how we think and act in the political realm. Politics Recovered brings together prominent scholars to develop a realist approach to theorizing politics, addressing issues such as global justice, inequality, poverty, political corruption, the value of democracy, governmental secrecy, and transparency. By exploring the nature and prospects of realist thought, the volume shows how political theory can affirm reality and provide meaningful and compelling answers to the fundamental questions of political life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 408 pages
Publication date: 13 March 2018
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The question of whether political theory is political enough has been a topic of debate for many years. While some argue that a tendency towards abstraction, idealization, moralism, and utopianism can leave contemporary political theory out of touch with real politics, others believe that realist political thought can provide a valuable and relevant perspective on the world.

Realist political thought, which has enjoyed a significant revival of interest in recent years, seeks to avoid these pitfalls by remaining attentive to the distinctiveness of politics and the ways its realities ought to shape how we think and act in the political realm.

In his introduction to the volume, editor John Searle argues that realist political thought is necessary in order to provide meaningful and compelling answers to the fundamental questions of political life. He notes that many contemporary political theories are overly abstract and idealistic, which can lead to a misunderstanding of the complex and messy realities of political life.

One of the key themes of Politics Recovered is the relationship between politics and morality. Contributors argue that a realist approach to politics can help us to understand the moral dimensions of political decisions and actions. They explore how a realist approach can aid our understanding of issues such as global justice, inequality, poverty, political corruption, the value of democracy, governmental secrecy, and demands for transparency.

Another theme of the volume is the role that facts and emotions should play in the theorization of political values. Contributors argue that a realist approach can help us to avoid the pitfalls of idealism and moralism, which can lead to a narrow and limited understanding of the political world. They explore how a realist approach can help us to understand the complex and multifaceted nature of political values and how they are shaped by a variety of factors, including social, economic, and cultural forces.

Contributors to Politics Recovered come from a variety of disciplines, including political science, philosophy, and sociology. They open up fruitful dialogues with a variety of other realist approaches, such as feminist theory, democratic theory, and international relations. By exploring the nature and prospects of realist thought, the volume shows how political theory can affirm reality in order to provide meaningful and compelling answers to the fundamental questions of political life.

In conclusion, the question of whether political theory is political enough is a complex and multifaceted one. While some argue that a tendency towards abstraction, idealization, moralism, and utopianism can leave contemporary political theory out of touch with real politics, others believe that realist political thought can provide a valuable and relevant perspective on the world. Politics Recovered provides a valuable contribution to this debate by bringing together prominent scholars to develop what it might mean to theorize politics “realistically.” By exploring the nature and prospects of realist thought, the volume shows how political theory can affirm reality in order to provide meaningful and compelling answers to the fundamental questions of political life.

Weight: 708g
Dimension: 163 x 235 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231175289