Lorne William Bentley

Clausewitz and German Idealism: the Influence of G.w.f. Hegel on on War Lorne William Bentley

Publisher Marketing: This study analyses the influence of the German idealist philosopher G. W. F. Hegel (1779-1831) on the method and thought of the Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz (1780-1831). The study contends that a complete understanding of the nature of Clausewitz's theory and its implications for the future requires an awareness of its source in German Romantic Idealism. Specifically, the study argues that G. W. F. Hegel had a direct influence on the nature of Clausewitz's thought as manifested in "On War." The study proceeds by comparing both the dialectical method of analysis employed by Clausewitz and the substances of his thought concerning the state and war with those of Hegel. The primary analysis is conducted by a comparison of Hegel's thought in his "Philosophy of Right" (1821) with that of Clausewitz as revealed in "On War" (1832). The study concludes that there is compelling evidence that Clausewitz was specifically influenced by G. W. F. Hegel. This relationship enhances our understanding of Clausewitz's theory of war. Furthermore, Clausewitz's popularity in Soviet military thought is at least partially due to its Hegelian context. Finally, the position of Clausewitz in western liberal/democratic thinking about war is problematical when viewed from an Hegelian perspective. In both cases the existence of nuclear weapons suggest that Clausewitz's paradigm is not adequate for the future.