Hegel on Nation, Ethical Life, and the Modern State

Abstract This paper examines Hegel’s idea of nation and its significance for his theory the modern state, namely, role that ‘the national’ plays justification right in Philosophy Right . It is argued Hegel strikes a balance between historicism rational state law. He bases on notion Sittlichkeit (ethical life) both national subjected to world historical development toward rationality universal right. Consequently, ‘nation,’ sense group people invoking identity rights based primordial common language, culture, territory, does not cover what means by state. ‘Ethical life’ national, but it also constitutes historically changeable community values supported citizens’ conscious participation communal life (patriotism). Today, undermines legitimacy nationalistic invocations ethnic cultures within politics.