Critique and Crisis

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Reinhart Koselleck's work explores the Enlightenment's impact on modern political tensions, particularly through the lens of an intellectual elite disconnected from political realities. He argues that the growing divide between state and society during this period led to private spheres that became moral authorities, ultimately undermining political stability. By examining examples across Europe, Koselleck illustrates how the progressive ideas of the bourgeoisie, which promised unity, instead contributed to conflict. This translation enriches our understanding of Enlightenment consequences.