Adieu Humboldt

A change in the academic community’s view of Czechoslovak university autonomy during the interwar period

Abstract

This text examines the issue of the professional status of Czechoslovak university teachers during the interwar period from the perspective of a shift from a liberal to a post-liberal university arrangement. The authors approach the theme using legal-historical methodology and attention is largely focused on the discussions surrounding the attempt to change the legal regulations relating to autonomy. The study looks at the significant differences in the interpretation of university autonomy within the academic community and follows the changes in attitude towards this important liberal theme in the light of the crisis and breakup of the interwar Czechoslovak regime during the period 1936-1938.

The text is part of the project GA ČR GA19-01035S Státní financování a autonomní správa vysokých škol 1849-1939 (State finance and the autonomous governance of universities 1849-1939).