Freedom is the value that Hegel most greatly admired and the central organizing concept of his social philosophy. Alan Patten offers the first full-length treatment in English of Hegel's idea of freedom - his theory of what it is to be free and his account of the social and political contexts in which this freedom is developed, realized, and sustained. Patten's investigation illuminates and resolves a number of central questions concerning Hegel's ethics and political theory. Is Hegel's outlook unacceptably conservative? Can freedom be equated with rational self-determination? Is there any special connection between freedom and citizenship? By offering interpretations of Hegels views on these and other questions, Patten develops an original 'civic humanist' reading of Hegel's social philosophy that restores to its proper, central place Hegel's idea of freedom. The book is written in a clear and jargon-free style and will be of interest to anyone concerned with Hegel's ethical, social, and political thought and the sources of contemporary ideas about freedom, community, and the state.

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Alan Patten is Assistant Professor of Political Science at McGill University, Montreal. He was previously Lecturer in Politics at the University of Exeter.

'Patten's book is a challenging account of what Hegel was up to.' History of Political Thought, vol. XXII, no. 3

'This is one of the better books on Hegel. It addresses major ideas in his philosophy, and convincingly shows that that [sic] there is something 'living' in Hegel's approach to crucial contemporary issues of political freedom.' Australasian Journal of Philosophy, vol. 79, no. 3

'Patten's interpretation of Hegel's position in these matters is admirably clear, tightly argued, free fo Hegelian jargon, and informed by both an awareness of the main trends in Hegel scholarship and an acute sense of what non-Hegelian philosophers will find objectionable or counter-intuitive about Hegel's claims.' International Philosophical Quarterly

'exceptionally well written and challenging engagement with what Hegel offers for contemporary political philosophy.' Australasian Journal of Philosophy, vol. 79, no. 3

'Patten presents in lucid prose an increasingly engrossing case for a 'civic humanist' interpretation of Hegel's idea of freedom. In the process, he casts some clear light on some of the most obscure though important ideas in political philosophy, and comprehensively engages with standard objections to Hegel's views, as he interprets [sic] them.' Australasian Journal of Philosophy, vol. 79, no. 3

'It is a tribute to the clarity and the ambition of Patten's book that it enables us to formulate ... issues. In these areas and in many others it moves the discussion forward in valuable ways.' Robert M. Wallace, Mind, Vol 110, Jan 01

'Patten's book is a deliberate, well-written, and welcome addition to Hegel studies. It offers a detailed and persuasive account of Hegel's political thought that is driven rightly by his highest political good - freedom. ... Throughout the book, Patten offers helpful and interesting comparisons of Hegel's thought with Rousseau, Montesquieu, Marx, and especially Kant and Fichte. In addition, Patten maintains an on-going dialogue in the text and the notes with a variety of Hegel scholars on virtually every topic he considers ... Patten's study is well worth reading for students and scholars of Hegel's thought alike. Moreover, those who teach this often difficult thinker should add Patten's book to their list of secondary readings because of its clear and concise treatment of key approaches to, and issues in, Hegel's political thought.' Rupert Gordon, Yale University