Hegel's Theory of International Politics: A Reply to Jaeger

Brooks, Thom

Abstract

Hans-Martin Jaeger argues in this Journal that Hegel endorses a ‘reluctant realism’, whereby Hegel's theory of international politics institutionalises a transnationalising civil society of states. In Jaeger's view, Hegel's conception of individuals in civil society is analogous to states in international politics. On the contrary, I argue Hegel's conception of abstract right is far more commensurable with his theory of international politics. The mutual recognition existing in civil society – which helps to produce legal relationships – does not exist beyond the state where there are no legal relationships. Thus, Hegel is a realist of a more familiar sort, without any ‘reluctance’.

Citation

Brooks, T. (2004). Hegel's Theory of International Politics: A Reply to Jaeger. Review of International Studies, 30(1), 149-152. https://doi.org/10.1017/s026021050400587x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2004-01
• Deposit Date: Nov 16, 2012
• Journal: Review of International Studies
• Print ISSN: 0260-2105
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-9044
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 30
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 149-152
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/s026021050400587x
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1471909