It stems from the assumption that citizens are fully compliant to a state which enjoys favorable social conditions, which makes it unrealistic in character.
In this society, principles of justice are created behind a “veil of ignorance”, which situates citizens outside their social position in order for them to bargain without the influence of their self-interest.
[6] Ideal theory assumes full compliance, citizens are subject to the rules of a state and fully adhere to them.
Full compliance cannot be realised within non-ideal theories because these take into consideration unfavourable social conditions which lead to negative consequences such as crises.
[7] In terms of idealisation and reality, Colin Farelly[8] and Charles Mills[9] suggest that normative debates cannot be addressed by ideal theory because the assumptions on which these rest are false.