Abstract

Part I of this dissertation is an analysis of Hegel's theory of poverty in the Philosophy of Right. This includes how Hegel believes poverty arises in the economy, how it affects people both economically and spiritually, the role of the Public Authority in alleviating poverty through externally-imposed measures, and the role of the corporation as Hegel's only viable solution to poverty. It also includes an examination of the effects poverty has on other aspects of the Philosophy of Right. This includes poverty's effect on freedom and rights such as those to self-determination, property and labor. From this analysis I derive five principles that I believe one must use when thinking about poverty in terms of its causes, effects, and solutions, and which must be applied to design a consistent set of policy principles and prescriptions. ;Part II begins with a description of current poverty trends and conditions in the United States, including an examination of related issues such as inequality and the welfare debate. I then survey several contemporary views and theories of poverty and related issues that are advanced by social scientists, public policy specialists and social critics to gain a sense of the conflicting ways in which poverty is viewed today and to provide some of the common perceptions about the poor. These perspectives range from liberal to conservative and pertain to issues such as the causes and possible solutions to poverty, the role of work in alleviating poverty, inequality, the nature of our relationship to each other and to the state, and individual rights and obligations versus those of society. ;Finally, I employ the five principles derived from the Philosophy of Right in Part I to determine how Hegel would respond to these issues and thinkers, thus providing us with an evaluation of our perceptions and policies regarding the poor using a coherent and consistent framework that protects and furthers a vision of society, the individual and the collective good