Hegel and Marx on the Necessity of the Reign of Terror

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-223
Author(s):  
David James

AbstractBoth Hegel and Marx appear committed to the idea that the Reign of Terror was in some sense necessary. I argue that Hegel explains this necessity in terms of the concept of ‘absolute freedom’, together with the associated self-conception and normative picture of the world. It will be argued that Marx also views the Reign of Terror as necessary because of an abstract conception of political freedom and the citizen which conflicts with a determinate individuality that is characterized by particular interests and identities. In connection with Marx’s critique of Hegel’s theory of the modern state I draw attention to a puzzle, the discussion of which will lead to a brief account of how Marx’s attempt to overcome the opposition between the state and civil society differs from Hegel’s.

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 41-53
Author(s):  
Dudley Knowles

Hegel's account of freedom is complex and difficult. It integrates a doctrine of free agency, a theory of social freedom, and a self-determining theodicy of Spirit. To achieve full understanding, if full understanding is possible, the student must both disentangle and articulate the components, and then fit together the separate pieces into an intelligible whole. And what is true of the whole is true of the parts; each element is in turn complex and controversial.In this paper, I want to investigate one very small aspect of this picture — the political phenomenology of the citizen of Hegel's rational state. Whether we are delineating the contours of free agency or re-telling Hegel's story about the modes of freedom constitutive of the institutions of the modern state, sooner or later we shall have to interpret Hegel's description of the self-consciousness of the typical citizen. We shall have to give some account of what citizens take to be their political standing, and show how both this standing and the citizens' understanding of it contribute to freedom.This should not be a controversial claim. To paraphrase portions of the famous statement at PR §260: The state is the actuality of concrete freedom. Members of families integrated into civil society knowingly and willingly acknowledge their citizenship and actively pursue the ends of the state. They do not live as private persons merely; in understanding, endorsing and acting out their ethical status as citizens they achieve such subjective fulfilment as isnecessaryfor them to be truly free.


Author(s):  
Alla Zlenko ◽  
Оlena Isaikina

Relevance of the research topic. In the conditions of systemic restructuring of the economy of Ukraine in the direction of its adaptation to world standards, one of the integral components of the successful functioning of modern business is the development of a strategy of corporate social responsibility. Today, sustainable economic development is not determined by the factor of availability of raw materials or markets, but the opportunity for companies to join the market of highly skilled labor, scientific inventions and the latest technologies. The problems of employment, social instability, and deteriorating environment are becoming more acute and urgent in the world. All this necessitates the formation of an innovative model of development and principles of corporate social responsibility, which is becoming one of the most important areas of a market economy. Formulation of the problem. It is theoretically proven and confirmed by the practice of the world's leading companies that social responsibility can and should be considered as an important social resource of the organization, able to form concrete benefits, ensure sustainable development, adequately respond to social challenges (both internal and external), turning the latter into opportunities. It should be emphasized that social responsibility appears as an important social resource, regardless of the concept of social responsibility the company adheres to. Analysis of recent research and publications. Theoretical and methodological aspects of the formation and development of social responsibility of business are embedded in the studies of the following leading foreign scientists: A. Berle, G. Bowen, M. Velazquez, A. Carroll, F. Kotler, G. Minz, J. Rawls, K. Smith, M Friedman et al. Of particular interest in studying this problem are the works of modern domestic scientists: O. Danylenko, V. Yevtushenko, A. Kolota, N. Kyryliuk, M. Kuzhelev, V. Mamontova, O. Sheremeta and others. Selection of unexplored parts of the general problem. The issue of the effectiveness of the functioning of corporate social responsibility in Ukrainian business practice and the formation of the domestic model of CSR remains insufficiently studied in the domestic scientific environment. Problem statement, purpose of research. The key direction of the world community today is the development of human capital as the basis of the general welfare of the state. One of the conditions for the implementation of the concept of human development and human capital is the introduction and compliance with the basics of corporate social responsibility of business (CSR). The purpose of the work is a comprehensive analysis of the development of CSR in Ukraine. Research methodology. During the writing of the article the methods of analysis and synthesis, system approach, statistical analysis, generalization and structuring were used. Presentation of the main research material. The institution of socially responsible business is typical of most countries with economies based on market values, long-standing democratic traditions, and a developed civil society. In modern conditions in different countries, the participation of business in solving social problems is either strictly regulated under current commercial, tax, labor, environmental legislation or carried out independently under the influence of specially established incentives and benefits. In Ukraine, this process is in the initial stages of its development and takes place in a dominant position of the state, extremely weak development of civil society institutions and oligarchic business development. Field of application of results. The results of the study can be applied in the process of forming a strategy of corporate social responsibility of a modern enterprise. Conclusions in accordance with the article. Corporate social responsibility in the developed world has long been part of society. Today, domestic business leaders are joining the global movement for socially responsible business. In order for funds allocated for social initiatives to bring sustainable results and work on the image of the business, companies must move to building these activities on a systemic basis in accordance with the strategy. It is here that broad prospects open up for the joint efforts of companies, civil society organizations, the media and the state. The immediate business benefits of CSR are the creation of a stable business environment, reduced operational risks, increased financial performance and sales, increased productivity, reduced recruitment costs, market expansion and, consequently, increased market value in the future. The interaction of political, social and economic actors, based on the principles of social partnership, allows to ensure the stable progressive development of the state. With the increasing importance of non-financial factors of sustainable development (social stability, environmental security, etc.), the practical and theoretical aspects of social responsibility are updated.


Author(s):  
Peter Ferdinand

This chapter deals with institutions and states. Institutions are essentially regular patterns of behaviour that provide stability and predictability to social life. Some institutions are informal, with no formally laid down rules such as the family, social classes, and kinship groups. Others are more formalized, having codified rules and organization. Examples include governments, parties, bureaucracies, legislatures, constitutions, and law courts. The state is defined as sovereign, with institutions that are public. After discussing the concept of institutions and the range of factors that structure political behaviour, the chapter considers the multi-faceted concept of the state. It then looks at the history of how the European type of state and the European state system spread around the world between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries. It also examines the modern state and some of the differences between strong states, weak states, and democratic states.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  

This GSoD In Focus Special Brief provides an overview of the state of democracy in Asia and the Pacific at the end of 2019, prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, and assesses some of the preliminary impacts that the pandemic has had on democracy in the region in 2020. Key fact and findings include: • Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries across Asia and the Pacific faced a range of democratic challenges. Chief among these were continuing political fragility, violent conflict, recurrent military interference in the political sphere, enduring hybridity, deepening autocratization, creeping ethnonationalism, advancing populist leadership, democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, the spread of disinformation, and weakened checks and balances. The crisis conditions engendered by the pandemic risk further entrenching and/or intensifying the negative democratic trends observable in the region prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. • Across the region, governments have been using the conditions created by the pandemic to expand executive power and restrict individual rights. Aspects of democratic practice that have been significantly impacted by anti-pandemic measures include the exercise of fundamental rights (notably freedom of assembly and free speech). Some countries have also seen deepened religious polarization and discrimination. Women, vulnerable groups, and ethnic and religious minorities have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and discriminated against in the enforcement of lockdowns. There have been disruptions of electoral processes, increased state surveillance in some countries, and increased influence of the military. This is particularly concerning in new, fragile or backsliding democracies, which risk further eroding their already fragile democratic bases. • As in other regions, however, the pandemic has also led to a range of innovations and changes in the way democratic actors, such as parliaments, political parties, electoral commissions, civil society organizations and courts, conduct their work. In a number of countries, for example, government ministries, electoral commissions, legislators, health officials and civil society have developed innovative new online tools for keeping the public informed about national efforts to combat the pandemic. And some legislatures are figuring out new ways to hold government to account in the absence of real-time parliamentary meetings. • The consideration of political regime type in debates around ways of containing the pandemic also assumes particular relevance in Asia and the Pacific, a region that houses high-performing democracies, such as New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (South Korea), a mid-range performer (Taiwan), and also non-democratic regimes, such as China, Singapore and Viet Nam—all of which have, as of December 2020, among the lowest per capita deaths from COVID-19 in the world. While these countries have all so far managed to contain the virus with fewer fatalities than in the rest of the world, the authoritarian regimes have done so at a high human rights cost, whereas the democracies have done so while adhering to democratic principles, proving that the pandemic can effectively be fought through democratic means and does not necessarily require a trade off between public health and democracy. • The massive disruption induced by the pandemic can be an unparalleled opportunity for democratic learning, change and renovation in the region. Strengthening democratic institutions and processes across the region needs to go hand in hand with curbing the pandemic. Rebuilding societies and economic structures in its aftermath will likewise require strong, sustainable and healthy democracies, capable of tackling the gargantuan challenges ahead. The review of the state of democracy during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 uses qualitative analysis and data of events and trends in the region collected through International IDEA’s Global Monitor of COVID-19’s Impact on Democracy and Human Rights, an initiative co-funded by the European Union.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4(S)) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
Surajo Yahaya Muhammad

Abstract: To ensure the attainment of good governance and sustainable development, corruption and its scourge must be combated. In Nigeria, the state has had series of anti-corruption measures by successive administrations in its 55 years of existence as an independent entity. While such measures appeared to have been well packaged, however, absence of political will and inability of the state to regard civil society organizations as important partner in the anti corruption has retarded the country’s ability to get rid of the menace of corruption, hence the inability of Nigerian state to provide effective and efficient services to its teeming populace. Being a partner in the development process of modern state, and in order to effectively enhance their roles in the fight against corruption, the paper proper ways upon which civil society groups can organize themselves and work with the state to get rid of corruption in the country.Keywords: Civil Society, Corruption, Democracy, Democratization, State


2020 ◽  
pp. 162-184
Author(s):  
Peter Ferdinand

This chapter deals with institutions and states. Institutions are essentially regular patterns of behaviour that provide stability and predictability to social life. Some institutions are informal, with no formally laid down rules such as the family, social classes, and kinship groups. Others are more formalized, having codified rules and organization. Examples include governments, parties, bureaucracies, legislatures, constitutions, and law courts. The state is defined as sovereign, with institutions that are public. After discussing the concept of institutions and the range of factors that structure political behaviour, the chapter considers the multi-faceted concept of the state. It then looks at the history of how the European type of state and the European state system spread around the world between the seventeenth and twentieth centuries. It also examines the modern state and some of the differences between strong states, weak states, and democratic states.


2020 ◽  

The relationship between the state and civil society can be characterised as complex, disharmonious and dynamic. The complexity results from the historical conditions of its origin and the different ways of thinking, grasping and structuring the relationship. The relationship is disharmonious because although it can theoretically be thought of as equal, this equality, in fact, hardly exists. The relationship is dynamic because it is in a permanent state of tension between the path dependencies of the history of ideas, and therefore can and must be constantly rethought. This anthology attempts to grasp and illuminate the relationship between the state and civil society in all its complexity by paying special attention to the contextual dependence of the genesis of this complicated relationship. With the emergence of the modern state based on sovereignty, the state entered into opposition with civil society. Modern political theory has devoted much of its energy to reflecting this antagonism and bridging the gap between the two. With contributions by Nelson Chacón, Julian Dörr, Christopher Gohl, Oliver Hidalgo, Heinz Kleger, Alexander Kruska, Antoine Lévy, Andreas Nix, Edwin QuirogaMolano and Michael Zantke.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Z. Al-Zuabi

Abstract Civil society organisations are an integral part of today’s societies throughout the world. They are the main partners of the state, along with the private sector, in the process of developing civil society. Here, we analyse various aspects of the social development of Kuwaiti society, the development strategies of the state, the challenges faced, and the role of civil society organisations by gathering and assessing information using structured questionnaires and statistical methods. The results reveal that civil associations are indispensable in the sustainable development of the state, especially considering the current economic and social challenges experienced in human societies. The study identifies internal and external challenges associated with implementing market-controlling mechanisms and directives for multifarious development under the private sector without inhibiting its growth. The article concludes by identifying the dominant obstacles and challenges development programs of Kuwait face and defines a set of mechanisms capable of solving those challenges effectively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Yudi Junadi

Along with the rise of religious claims as one of the solid foundations for the grounding of Human Rights (HAM), the problems confronting humanity in relation to the presence of religion, in the contemporary era tend to escalate. The current wave of globalization has not only marginalized but rather provided an opportunity for the birth of various religious transnational movements that had not been predicted before. The conception of the modern state adopted by the West which was later referred to as a model for the construction of the state in various other parts of the world, was founded on the basis of secular values that transcended traditional solidarity, among which were national equality. Apart from the black stain that has been inscribed in history, especially in the field of freedom of thought, religion at this time can be said to have a positive contribution as a source of aspiration for the parties that are suppressed. Keywords : Globalization, Freedom of Religion, International Law, Human Rights.


2020 ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
S. P. Mitrakhovich

Identity politics has become a crucial feature of the transformation of modern social and political relations in many countries around the world. Representatives of “progressive” structures actively engaged in such a struggle, trying to undermine the foundations of the existing conservative social system and the established balance of institutions and relative powers of actors. Largely initiated by civil society organizations representing social minorities, this policy has become an instrument for the realization of the tasks of the state power. At the same time, identity politics, showing disparity approach to various social groups, while demanding the increasing powers of the State in its implementation, remains deeply contradictory and generates ideological hybrids such as “eco-authoritarianism” or “liberal authoritarianism”.


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