Schleiermachers Staatslehre

Between 1813 and 1833, Schleiermacher gave five lectures on the theory of the state at the newly established University of Berlin, lectures in which he was supportive of the Prussian reforms. Unlike Hegel's philosophy of law, Schleiermacher's political theories had scarcely any effects. It was not until 1998 that a critical edition of the manuscripts and transcripts was published. Miriam Rose provides the first comprehensive and systematic interpretation of Schleiermacher's theory of the state referring to the state discourses after the French Revolution. Schleiermacher's liberal, freedom-oriented attitude is shown in thematic cross-sections of the problems of war and peace as well as the state and the church. Using the issue of individual freedom as an example, the author describes the specific characteristics of this concept. She proves that in spite of its liberal orientation this is not a liberal concept.