Philosophy of Right

"Because it provides a very good account of the way in which sovereignty needs to be understood in relation to both individuals and to other states. Hegel claims that it is possible to study international relations as a realm of interaction between states, and that this is also linked to the way states are made up themselves. Hegel links the internal nature of states with the external relations between them. This is a point often overlooked in international relations theories. Hegel’s own theory has sufficient flexibility that it is able to manage the transition between the internal and external realms of the state. He believes that self-determination is the key principle. It’s important because even when there are treaties, alliances – any type of collaborative effort – his emphasis is always on the voluntary and consensual nature of the relation. Hegel prioritises the moment of decision and will rather than the agreement itself."