distinction which the reflective understanding makes between an idea and the corresponding
reality； holding to an abstract and consequently untrue idea； not grasping it in its pleteness； or …
which is virtually； though not in point of form； the same … not taking a concrete view of a people
and a state。 We shall have to show further on that the constitution adopted by a people makes one
substance … one spirit … with its religion； its art and philosophy； or； at least； with its conceptions and
thoughts … its culture generally； not to expatiate upon the additional influences； ab extra； of
climate； of neighbours； of its place in the world。 A State is an individual totality； of which you
cannot select any particular side； although a supremely important one； such as its political
constitution； and deliberate and decide respecting it in that isolated form。 Not only is that
constitution most intimately connected with and dependent on those other spiritual forces； but the
form of the entire moral and intellectual individuality … prising all the forces it embodies … is
only a step in the development of the grand Whole； … with its place pre…appointed in the process： a
fact which gives the highest sanction to the constitution in question； and establishes its absolute
necessity。 …The origin of a State involves imperious lordship on the one hand； instinctive
submission on the other。 But even obedience … lordly power； and the fear inspired by a ruler … in
itself implies some degree of voluntary connection。 Even in barbarous states this is the case； it is
not the isolated will of individuals that prevails； individual pretensions are relinquished； and the
general will is the essential bond of political union。 This unity of the general and the particular is the
Idea itself； manifesting itself as a State； and which subsequently undergoes further development
within itself。 The abstract yet necessitated process in the development of truly independent states is
as follows： … They begin with regal power； whether of patriarchal or military origin。 In the next
phase； particularity and individuality assert themselves in the form of Aristocracy and Democracy。
Lastly； we have the subjection of these separate interests to a single power； but which can be
absolutely none other than one outside of which those spheres have an independent position； viz。；
the Monarchical。 Two phases of royalty； therefore； must be distinguished； … a primary and a
secondary one。 This process is necessitated； so that the form of government assigned to a
particular stage of development must present itself： it is therefore no matter of choice； but is that
form which is adapted to the spirit of the people。
§ 48
In a Constitution the main feature of interest is the self…development of the rational； that is； the
political condition of a people； the setting free of the successive elements of the Idea： so that the
several powers in the State manifest themselves as separate； … attain their appropriate and special
perfection； … and yet in this independent condition； work together for one object； and are held
together by it … i。e。； form an organic whole。 The State is thus the embodiment of rational freedom；
realising and recognising itself in an objective form。 For its objectivity consists in this； … that its
successive stages are not merely ideal； but are present in an appropriate reality； and that in their
separate and several working； they are absolutely merged in that agency by which the totality … the
soul … the individual unity … is produced； and of which it is the result。
§ 49
The State is the Idea of Spirit in the external manifestation of human Will and its Freedom。 It is to
the State； therefore； that change in the aspect of History indissolubly attaches itself； and the
successive phases of the Idea manifest themselves in it as distinct political principles。 The
Constitutions under which World…Historical peoples have reached their culmination； are peculiar
to them； and therefore do not present a generally applicable political basis。 Were it otherwise； the
differences of similar constitutions would consist only in a peculiar method of expanding and
developing that generic basis； whereas they really originate in diversity of principle。 From the
parison therefore of the political institutions of the ancient World…Historical peoples； it so
happens； that for the most recent principle of a Constitution … for the principle of our own times …
nothing （so to speak） can be learned。 In science and art it is quite otherwise； e。 g。； the ancient
philosophy is so decidedly the basis of the modern； that it is inevitably contained in the latter； and
constitutes its basis。 In this case the relation is that of a continuous development of the same
structure； whose foundation…stone； walls； and roof have remained what they were。 In Art； the
Greek itself； in its original form； furnishes us the best models。 But in regard to political constitution；
it is quite otherwise： here the Ancient and the Modern have not their essential principle in mon。
Abstract definitions and dogmas respecting just government； … importing that intelligence and virtue
ought to bear sway … are； indeed； mon to both。 But nothing is so absurd as to look to Greeks；
Romans； or Orientals； for models for the political arrangements of our time。 From the East may be
derived beautiful pictures of a patriarchal condition； of paternal government； and of devotion to it
on the part of peoples； from Greeks and Romans； descriptions of popular liberty。 Among the latter
we find the idea of a Free Constitution admitting all the citizens to a share in deliberations and
resolves respecting the affairs and laws of the monwealth。 In our times； too； this is its general
acceptation； only with this modification； that … since our States are so large； and there are so many
of 〃the Many；〃 the latter； … direct action being impossible； … should by the indirect method of
elective substitution express their concurrence with resolves affecting the mon weal； that is；
that for legislative purposes generally； the people should be represented by deputies。 The
so…called Representative Constitution is that form of government with which we connect the idea
of a free constitution； and this notion has bee a rooted prejudice。 On this theory People and
Government are separated。 But there is a perversity in this antithesis； an ill…intentioned ruse
designed to insinuate that the People are the totality of the State。 Besides； the basis of this view is
the principle of isolated individuality … the absolute validity of the subjective will … a dogma which
we have already investigated。 The great point is； that Freedom in its Ideal conception has not
subjective will and caprice for its principle； but the recognition of the universal will； and that the
process by which Freedom is realised is the free development of its successive stages。 The
subjective will is a merely formal determination … a carte blanche … not including what it is that is
willed。 Only the rational will is that universal principle which independently determines and