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Foundations of Hegel's Social Theory: Actualizing Freedom

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Frederick Neuhouser has a great talent for bringing out Hegel's meaning. Although he claims only to elucidate Hegel, this work is tantamount to an original contribution to social theory. Specifically, he contributes strongly to understanding the way that state and society can serve as positive conditions for freedom or as parts of freedom itself. Neuhouser does not intentionally take on the claims of the opposing view held by conservative political theorists, but his work indirectly provides one of the most compelling refutations of the subjectivist approach of contemporary conservative political theory that I have ever read. Contemporary political and economic theory are, in my view, in Neuhouser's debt for this enlightening treatment of the social and political realms. Readers will appreciate the fact that he conveys these ideas through graceful prose unmarred by impenetrable jargon.

First, I must warn everyone that I have not read the entire book, but was extremely impressed with it after only reading one chapter! I had the pleasure of taking Prof. Neuhouser's class on social and political philosophy; Chapter 2 was cited as secondary reading as a supplement to Rousseau's Second Discourse and Social Contract. Prof. Neuhouser has an uncommon ability in both lecture and print to elucidate the material in such a way as to make it accessible without dumbing it down -- very helpful for someone who has no phil. background (like me!). I couldn't afford to buy a copy of this book right now, but I would if for just the deeper understanding of Rousseau it affords me. I'm sure anyone who has some familiarity with Hegel would be able to appreciate this book all the more!