Hegel’s philosophy of law seeks to reconcile the political state with civil society through the concept of mediation(Vermittlung). This endeavor led Hegel to reformulate the system of representation. However, dissatisfied with Hegel’s speculative approach to reconciliation, Marx examined the essence of the modern state and introduced the idea of “True Democracy”, effectively sublating Hegel’s notion of representative democracy. In his Critique of Hegel’s philosophy of Right, Marx uncovers the fundamental theoretical challenges inherent in Hegel’s solution. He argues that genuine reconciliation between civil society and the political state can only be achieved by moving beyond the limitations of the abstract state. The concept of “True Democracy” represents Marx’s radical and revolutionary critique of politics, establishing a theoretical foundation for his later distinction between political emancipation and human liberation, which ultimately guided his shift towards communism. 

　　Editor: Zhong Yao  Wei Xiaoxue

　　From: Journal of Xiamen University(Arts & Social Sciences).2024.No.5.