The Resolution of Poverty in Hegel's "Actual" State

This article presents a Hegelian argument in favor of measures for-reducing poverty that go beyond typical welfare policies. Most commentators argue that either (1) Hegel's system must tolerate poverty (as part of the state preserving the autonomy of civil society), or (2) Hegel provides for the welfare of the poor through the civil-society institutions of the "corporations" and the "police." According to Hegel's dialectical method, however, the Hegelian state becomes "actual" to the extent that it "sublates" civil society that is, to the extent that the state both preserves the elements of civil society that promote freedom and negates the elements that hinder freedom. This entails state action to eliminate poverty, even though Hegel also expresses concern over how welfare policies targeted at the poor may reinforce the poor's subordination. In contrast with such policies, universal basic income is one public policy that can help the state sublate civil society in the fashion Hegel intends.