Hegel’s Philosophy of International Law

Abstract

There is a great variety of comments on Hegel and as to where one should place him on an IR theory spectrum. Many see in Hegel a precursor of the Realist School of International Relations. Fewer scholars, though, attribute Hegel a liberalistic worldview, turning him into a liberal IR forerunner. Amid all these different takes on him, this paper aims to elaborate Hegel's philosophy on the state, civil society, international law and the importance of recognition therein. Hegelian concept of state is one of an absolute. The state is in need of bureaucratic cadres, entrusted with significant duties. However, civil society and relations developed within it are of utmost significance, as well. The latter is not destined, under all circumstances, to be dispensed with in the favour of the former one. On the contrary, just as it is the case in civil society, the institution of recognition plays an important role on international political fora. As a result of recognition, states see each other as equal others, i.e. states; which will contribute to the observation of a core of principles and rules. Toward the end of the paper, I shall endeavor to compare Hegelian thought with the basic premises of Realism. The crucial criterion here proves to be the level and the scope of significance attached to the Hegelian notions of the state and the civil society.