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Single Idea 21791

[from 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right' by Georg W.F.Hegel, in 24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 4. Citizenship ]

Full Idea

The interests of family and civil society must concentrate themselves on the state, although the universal end cannot be advanced without the personal knowledge and will of its particular members, whose own rights must be maintained.

Gist of Idea

Social groups must focus on the state, which must in turn respect their inclusion and their will

Source

Georg W.F.Hegel (Elements of the Philosophy of Right [1821], 260), quoted by Stephen Houlgate - An Introduction to Hegel 08 'Freedom'

Book Reference

Houlgate,Stephen: 'An Introduction to Hegel' [Blackwell 2005], p.208


A Reaction

Hegel's emphasis on the state has sometimes allowed him to be presented as a proto-fascist, so the second half of this is important - especially the remark about citizens having 'knowledge' of what is going on. Is citizen commitment conditional on this?