Hegel and Rawls

A possible dialogue

Abstract

Considering that Hegel can be placed on the foundations of communitarianism and that Rawls is the legitimate representative of political liberalism, the text intends to show the possibility of a dialogue between them, pointing out common aspects, especially with regard to the theme of international relations. The discussion about the priority of the just in relation to the communitarian conceptions of the good is the central nucleus of the controversy. The aim is to find elements in these authors for the formulation and justification of principles of justice, both for national societies and for the Society of Peoples. This involves an analysis and explanation of the concept of people of the two authors. It also requires a comparative study of the content of the principles of justice and their application to political and social institutions. As the interest falls on Peoples’ Law, a study on the right to war and the conduct of war in the aforementioned authors is necessary. This is intended to indicate that the search for principles of justice that should guide this conduct (Rawls), as well as political and social institutions (Hegel), have History as a common source.