Introduction

Abstract

This book consists of a set of comparative essays on Hegel and other political thinkers. It draws upon articles and papers written and delivered for a variety of publications and audiences over the last ten years. The essays express the author’s preoccupation with Hegel and his political philosophy, and a commitment to the value of a critical interpretation of Hegel’s political philosophy. Hegel’s political philosophy is linked to a conception of the historical character of the enterprise. While Hegel’s substantive political philosophy and his notion of its historicity are interdependent, the Introduction and Conclusion of this book focus upon the claims of his substantive political philosophy and his idea of the history of political philosophy, respectively.