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Single Idea 22795

[filed under theme 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship ]

Full Idea

The best way for humans to achieve respect for the state as that whole of which they are branches is through philosophical insight into its essence.

Gist of Idea

People can achieve respect for their state by insight into its essence

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 270 add)

Book Ref

Hegel,Georg W.F.: 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right', ed/tr. Wood,Allen W. [CUP 1991], p.303


A Reaction

Although Hegel on the state can be quite alarming, I rather approve of this Aristotelian thought. States do not, of course, have ready made essences awaiting the insights of philosophers, but discussion can converge on a concept of what the state is.


The 35 ideas with the same theme [qualifications, duties and rights of a citizen]:

People doing their jobs properly is the fourth cardinal virtue for a city [Plato]
Diogenes said he was a citizen of the world [Diogenes of Sin., by Diog. Laertius]
A citizen is someone who is allowed to hold official posts in a city [Aristotle]
The virtues of a good citizen are relative to a particular constitution [Aristotle]
A person can be an excellent citizen without being an excellent man [Aristotle]
The middle classes are neither ambitious nor anarchic, which is good [Aristotle]
A citizen is committed to ignore private advantage, and seek communal good [Epictetus]
A citizen should only consider what is good for the whole society [Epictetus]
Children are not born into citizenship of a state [Locke]
Anyone who enjoys the benefits of a state has given tacit consent to be part of it [Locke]
You can only become an actual member of a commonwealth by an express promise [Locke]
We all owe labour in return for our keep, and every idle citizen is a thief [Rousseau]
Citizens should be independent of each other, and very dependent on the state [Rousseau]
A citizen is a subject who is also sovereign [Rousseau]
A citizen must control his own life, and possess property or an important skill [Kant]
Individuals must dedicate themselves to the ethical whole, and give their lives when asked [Hegel]
Social groups must focus on the state, which must in turn respect their inclusion and their will [Hegel]
People can achieve respect for their state by insight into its essence [Hegel]
The ideal is a society in which all citizens are ladies and gentlemen [Green,TH]
Enfranchisement is an end in itself; it makes a person moral, and gives a basis for respect [Green,TH]
Humans are determined by community, so its preservation is their most valued drive [Nietzsche]
Nietzsche thinks we should join a society, in order to criticise, heal and renew it [Nietzsche, by Richardson]
We all need to partipate in public tasks, and take some initiative [Weil]
Even the poorest should feel collective ownership, and participation in grand display [Weil]
A citizen should be able to understand the whole of society [Weil]
Citizenship involves a group of mutually supporting rights, which create community and equality [Miller,D]
Some liberals thinks checks and balances are enough, without virtuous citizens [Kymlicka]
Good citizens need civic virtues of loyalty, independence, diligence, respect, etc. [Kymlicka]
Liberals accept that people need society, but Aristotelians must show that they need political activity [Kymlicka]
Minimal liberal citizenship needs common civility, as well as mere non-interference [Kymlicka]
Modern non-discrimination obliges modern citizens to treat each other as equals [Kymlicka]
The right wing sees citizenship in terms of responsibility to earn a living, rather than rights [Kymlicka]
Citizenship is easier than parenthood [Kekes]
A person's voice may count because of their interests, or because of their good sense [Sen]
Cosmopolitans reject the right of different states to distribute resources in different ways [Swift]