| dc.description.abstract | In this work, we review and synthesize forms of ideological criticism present in
contemporary realist political theory. We argue that central aspects of ideological criticism
are not achieved, or are partially achieved, if the criticism is guided by moral or metaethical
commitments. Since the lack of methodological criteria for this type of theorization creates
concepts that are not very consensual, often based on assumptions about the truth of moral
beliefs, or on the claim that there is a specific normativity of politics that emerges from the
social context. We argue, in line with the contemporary debate, that the fundamental premise
that guides political realism, namely, that political realities are empirically constituted, should
be interpreted as a methodological orientation rather than a theoretical one. Thus, the defining
characteristic of political realism as a method is an attempt to give autonomy, from intuitive
or moral assumptions, to normativity and political theorizing. This framework of political
realism gives social relations a genuinely foundational theoretical expression. Finally, we
defend the need for a critical theory empirically based on real political relations and that this
type of theorizing is important, as it distances critical conceptions based on abstract
arguments or that appeal to intuition about “the political”, “the social”. ”, “human nature”,
“the original position”, etc. An immanent critique methodologically oriented by political
realism enables greater precision for conceptual creation and use. In addition, the rational
reconstruction of an immanent point of view of ideological apparatuses is fairer, in the sense
of respecting the content of the thought of political groups guided by different ideologies, as
well as being more compatible with the commitment to political plurality, which is very
important for western liberal democracies. | |
