form which is adapted to the spirit of the people。
§ 48
In a Constitution the main feature of interest is the self…development of the rational; that is; the
political condition of a people; the setting free of the successive elements of the Idea: so that the
several powers in the State manifest themselves as separate; … attain their appropriate and special
perfection; … and yet in this independent condition; work together for one object; and are held
together by it … i。e。; form an organic whole。 The State is thus the embodiment of rational freedom;
realising and recognising itself in an objective form。 For its objectivity consists in this; … that its
successive stages are not merely ideal; but are present in an appropriate reality; and that in their
separate and several working; they are absolutely merged in that agency by which the totality … the
soul … the individual unity … is produced; and of which it is the result。
§ 49
The State is the Idea of Spirit in the external manifestation of human Will and its Freedom。 It is to
the State; therefore; that change in the aspect of History indissolubly attaches itself; and the
successive phases of the Idea manifest themselves in it as distinct political principles。 The
Constitutions under which World…Historical peoples have reached their culmination; are peculiar
to them; and therefore do not present a generally applicable political basis。 Were it otherwise; the
differences of similar constitutions would consist only in a peculiar method of expanding and
developing that generic basis; whereas they really originate in diversity of principle。 From the
parison therefore of the political institutions of the ancient World…Historical peoples; it so
happens; that for the most recent principle of a Constitution … for the principle of our own times …
nothing (so to speak) can be learned。 In science and art it is quite otherwise; e。 g。; the ancient
philosophy is so decidedly the basis of the modern; that it is inevitably contained in the latter; and
constitutes its basis。 In this case the relation is that of a continuous development of the same
structure; whose foundation…stone; walls; and roof have remained what they were。 In Art; the
Greek itself; in its original form; furnishes us the best models。 But in regard to political constitution;
it is quite otherwise: here the Ancient and the Modern have not their essential principle in mon。
Abstract definitions and dogmas respecting just government; … importing that intelligence and virtue
ought to bear sway … are; indeed; mon to both。 But nothing is so absurd as to look to Greeks;
Romans; or Orientals; for models for the political arrangements of our time。 From the East may be
derived beautiful pictures of a patriarchal condition; of paternal government; and of devotion to it
on the part of peoples; from Greeks and Romans; descriptions of popular liberty。 Among the latter
we find the idea of a Free Constitution admitting all the citizens to a share in deliberations and
resolves respecting the affairs and laws of the monwealth。 In our times; too; this is its general
acceptation; only with this modification; that … since our States are so large; and there are so many
of 〃the Many;〃 the latter; … direct action being impossible; … should by the indirect method of
elective substitution express their concurrence with resolves affecting the mon weal; that is;
that for legislative purposes generally; the people should be represented by dep
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