Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>For theorists of economic justice, a key challenge is finding a path between an unproductive “utopianism” and a “realism” that remains problematically close to an unjust status quo. To find this path, one can draw on empirical research to understand economic institutions “from the inside.” This chapter discusses the case selection for such approaches, distinguishing three groups of practitioners to which one can turn to ground one’s theories. “The good” are moral pioneers who explore better institutions in “real utopias.” “The bad” are those who prevent change; understanding their motives helps to identify obstacles to change and how to overcome them. “The indifferent” simply go along with economic practices. Understanding these three groups helps empirically ground proposals for reform, for example, toward workplace democracy. I conclude with some reflections on the relation between grounded theorizing and the need for a systemic perspective when it comes to economic justice.</jats:p>