Work as Rational Self-Realization and Its Institutional Foundations: A Reconstruction And Critical Revision of Work

Abstract

This master thesis examines the societal organization of work through a reconstruction and revision of G. W. F. Hegel’s (1770–1831) theory of work, with a particular focus on his concept of the corporation (Korporation) as an institution mediating the demands of both individual and societal freedom. While Hegel presents a framework that integrates work as a site of rational self-realization with a structural focus on the institutions necessary to realize it, his account does not adequately address two central challenges: the institutional foundations required to secure decent work and the decision-making power in relation to private ownership. By analyzing the historical arguments of the Danish workers' movement, this thesis identifies two primary concerns that challenge Hegel’s theory: (1) the contingency of decent work on the goodwill of employers and (2) the concentration of decision-making power in the hands of capital owners. While Hegel’s theoretical framework entails that these issues must be mediated institutionally, his proposed solution – the corporation – lacks a detailed framework for addressing them. This thesis argues that a revised Hegelian theory of work must account for these challenges to remain normatively viable in a modern context. Through this analysis, the thesis contributes to contemporary debates on the societal organization of work by demonstrating the continued relevance of Hegel’s institutional framework for addressing the challenges of the modern market. It argues for an approach in which work is not merely a means of economic survival but a domain where freedom and recognition can be realized, provided that adequate institutional mediation is in place. Rather than advocating for a fixed institutional blueprint, the thesis outlines key principles that any viable societal organization of work must incorporate, offering a conceptual foundation for policymakers, unions, and scholars concerned with the future of work in modern society.