Approaching Foresight through Critical Realism: Lessons Drawn from Thailand

Abstract

What approach should one choose to practice foresight and how should this approach be framed? Previous studies have proposed empiricism, constructivism, post-structuralism, and pragmatism as the core approaches. Critical realism, however, seems to be neglected, especially in its key element of intransitive reality, which can be explicated in both concrete and abstract senses. Its absence is important to the Global South, where injustice and authoritarian control influence the future of society. In order to illustrate the potential of critical realism, this article draws lessons from foresight practice in Thailand.