G. W. F. Hegel (1770–1831) has commonly been seen as Europe’s leading philosopher since Kant. His influence extended across the globe down to Second World War – not least through his dissident disciple, Karl Marx. Since then, despite intermittent revivals, importance tended be eclipsed by a rising tide of anti-modernist polemic, extending from Heidegger postmodernism. Central Hegel’s political ...