Political Writings

This major addition to the series of Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought seeks to give students with no specialist knowledge access to both the practical and the metaphysical aspects of Hegel’s political thought. The ethical and metaphysical texts in this collection both illuminate and contrast with those political and historical texts in which Hegel draws important conclusions about the modern world from remarkable comparative analyses of recent developments in England, France and Germany. The translator of these texts, H. B. Nisbet, was responsible for the acclaimed rendition of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right already published in this series, and Lawrence Dickey’s lucid editorial commentary introduces this distinctive corpus of political writing by one of the very greatest thinkers in the European tradition. A full chronology, explanatory annotation, glossary and bibliography are appended to aid the student reader.

• Gives students with no specialist knowledge access to the practical and the metaphysical aspects of Hegel’s political thought • First time that a collection of Hegel’s most important works (other than Philosophy of Right) have appeared in English • Contains full supporting material (chronology, glossary, bibliography, notes and helpful general introduction)

Editors’ note; Chronology of Hegel’s life and career; Translator’s preface; 1. The magistrates should be elected by the people (1798); 2. The German constitution (1798–1802); 3. On the scientific ways of treating natural law, on its place in practical philosopy, and its relation to the positive sciences of right (1802–1803); 4. Inaugural address, delivered at the University of Berlin (22 October 1818); 5. Address on the tercentenary of the submission of the Augsburg Confession (25 June 1830); 6. Extracts from lectures on the philosophy of history (1827–1831); 7. The relationship of religion to the state (1831); 8. On the English Reform Bill (1831); Editorial notes; Glossary; Abbreviations; Bibliography of works cited in this edition.

‘ … exemplary new edition of Hegel’s political writings.’ The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘Political Writings promises to serve for the next generation as the standard English-language translation of Hegel’s political writings. Simultaneously released in paperback, it is a required purchase for all English-language Hegel scholars and for research and college libraries. Its diverse contents, accurate readable translations, accessible introduction, and helpful notes make it an appealing selection for courses at all levels in philosophy, political science, and history.’ Journal of The Hegel Society of America