Using the notion of "Realdesign", as a parallel to Realpolitik, the authors aim to highlight political, social and methodological obstacles when designers turn to design thinking, participation and "living labs", with the hope of changing the world for the better.

Otto von Busch is Professor of Integrated Design at Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York.

Karl Palmås is Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg.

1. Introduction: The Problems of Participatory Design 2. The Realist Challenge: Power and Possibilities 3. Betrayal: Post-political Participation 4. Corruption: Design and Decay 5. Cunning: Mêtis and Designerly Statecraft 6. Hypocrisy: of virtue and vice 7. Closing Propositions: After Empathy, Realdesign