The Progress of Freedom

“The History of the World is none other than the progress of the consciousness of Freedom. [...] The East knew and to the present day knows only that One is Free; the Greek and Roman world knew that Some are Free; the German World knows that All are Free. The first political form therefore which we observe in History is Despotism, the second Democracy and Aristocracy, the third Monarchy. [...] ==Spirit== does not toss itself about in the external play of chance occurrences. On the contrary, it is that which determines history absolutely, and it stands firm against the chance occurrences which it dominates and exploits for its own purpose. — G. W. F. Hegel, Lectures on the Philosophy of History, Introduction (1822–31, trans. J. Sibree); Age of the Sage, Hegel's Philosophy of History”