In the Phenomenology, Hegel introduces the "lord/bondsman" struggle, a conflict between two independent minds that results in the subservience of one and establishing rule for the other. This social philosophy has been recycled by contemporary philosophers and socialist leaders to support their unique proletariate struggle, but it appears that Hegel was not offering a solution to "classism", as it were. Hegel is giving an example of how self-recognition is only possible through the reflection of oneself in another, therefore self-recognition is dependent on mutual recognition.
In our lord/bondsman example, we have two minds fighting for power over the other, and it is necessary that one mind must submit to the other. When this happens, both minds are experiencing freedom; the lord has the freedom to command the bondsman, and the bondsman has the freedom to engage in meaningful work. In this example, the lord has demonstrated a "deficiency". She was willing to die or kill for this power over her bondsman, which means she was unable to see her reflection in the bondsman. Her power is completely dependent on her bondsman, whereas the bondsman was able to recognize himself in his lord, achieving self-recognition.
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