Section 290
Original German
290 In dem Geschäfte der Regierung findet sich gleichfalls die Theilung der Arbeit (§. 198.) ein. Die Organisation der Behörden hat insofern die formelle, aber schwierige Aufgabe, daß von unten, wo das bürgerliche Leben concret ist, dasselbe auf concrete Weise regiert werde, daß diß Geschäft aber in seine abstracte Zweige getheilt sey, die von eigenthümlichen Behörden als unterschiedenen Mittelpunkten behandelt werden, deren Wirksamkeit nach unten, so wie in der obersten Regierungsgewalt in eine concrete Uebersicht wieder zusammenlaufe.
Musean translation
Machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from Hegel's German in the Berlin Nicolai first edition, dated 1821. Complete preface, introduction and sections 1–360, including the author's remarks and notes; no later Gans additions.
290 The division of labor (§ 198) also enters the work of government. The organization of the authorities accordingly has the formal but difficult task of ensuring that, from below, where civil life is concrete, it is governed concretely, while this work is divided into its abstract branches and dealt with by distinct authorities as separate centers, whose activity converges again downward, as well as in the highest executive power, into a concrete overview.
Plain English translation
Independent machine-assisted Plain English translation made directly from the German first-edition source, not from the Musean edition or an existing English translation. Complete preface, introduction and sections 1–360 with the author's remarks and notes.
290 The division of labor (§ 198) also occurs in the work of government. The organization of the authorities therefore has a formal but difficult task. At the lower levels, where civil life is concrete, it must be governed concretely. Yet this work must be divided into its abstract branches, handled by distinct authorities as separate centers. Their activity must converge again into a concrete overall view, both in its operation downward and in the highest governmental power.
About this section
Section 290 is part of Elements of the Philosophy of Right by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. This page sets the German original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is section 292 of 362 in the work, which is kept in the European tradition.
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