Note 20 — III INTERNATIONAL MORALITY: THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE

In his lectures on the Philosophy of History, Hegel spoke of ‘world-historical’ individuals and peoples, who represent for a time that ‘world-spirit’ whose ‘right’ is supreme; and perhaps some rash German reader might cry, ‘Yes, France a century ago, and Germany now.’ But he will not find a word in Hegel to countenance his claim; and if he builds his hopes on military power he might ponder Hegel’s final sentence about the astounding victories of Napoleon: ‘Never was the powerlessness of victory shown in a clearer light than then.’ I do not mean to imply that, according to Hegel, what we call the best intentions are bound to prevail. No philosopher was less inclined to ignore painful facts. His whole philosophy might even be called an attempt to understand and justify them.