Roman Courage and Constitution in Hegel's Philosophy of Right

Abstract This article argues that the citizens of Hegel's state cannot maintain themselves as politically free because they are susceptible to mutual enslavement. I demonstrate this by focusing on Roman republican background constitution, potential trajectory its dissolution and accompanying means cyclical fortification through courage. Hegel, integrating aspects mixed constitution also adopts idea decadence within his conception civil society. After locating source in contractual relations peace bourgeois inability overcome fear death, go argue war for Hegel provides a theatre where freedom may be regenerated However, show modern wars do not provide sufficient perpetuating constitution. To this, distinguish three forms war: colonial, limited total war, arguing only latter offers solution decay political disposition loss freedom, but that—by being itself decadence—it salvage from reduction relations.