International Politics

Abstract

In the first four sections of his analysis of international law and (dis)order, Hegel surprises his reader by providing the clearest possible statement about the fundamental function of Sollen and contractuality that any contractarian could hope for. Because “the external right of the state [cf. § 259] is based on the relation of independent states [...] it takes the form of a Sollen” (§ 330). The state’ “primary absolute right [or entitlement, Berechtigung] is […1 to be recognized [as an absolute and sovereign power] by any other state” (§ 331). “The immediate actuality of states with regard to one another [...] has the formal nature of a contract (Verträge, § 332). “The basic principle ruling the right of peoples vis-à-vis one another” is “the universal right, which in and for itself ought (soll) to be valid between states; [...] it states that treaties [...] ought (soll) to be kept. [...] This universal determination remains [...] an [abstract] Sollen only [§ 333].”