Abstract

The article proposes an historical and political interpretation of Droysen's thought that focuses primarily on the concepts of prussianism, Friedenstaat, Machtpolitik, as well as on Bismarck's controversial point of view on the droysenian reflection on the role played by personality in history. Finally, the essay aims at providing a broad historiographical overview that discusses Wilfried Nippel's critical interpretation of Droysen juxtaposing it to that of Thomas Welskopp, who, relying on the works of Horst Walter Blanke, offered a methodological-historical reading of the work of the Pomeranian professor.