I24 - Education and InequalityReturn

The purpose of this paper is to analyze awarded scientific degrees at the University of Economics, Prague (EUP) in the fifties of 20th century. Methodological approaches of economic, social, cultural and political history, economics and statistics were pursued and required in this study. An interdisciplinary approach that enabled further determination of factors will serve as the approach for all subsequent research of the UEP position in science in the fifties of the 20th century. Yet untapped primary sources from UEP Scientific Council Meetings were used, also published sources, newspapers, etc. We came to the conclusion that UEP failed to significantly increase the number of professors and associate professors in the first seven years of its existence. The reasons behind were: 1) Policy of the Communist leadership that followed cadre policies which frustrated many personalities and prevented them a chance to work for universities. 2) Only highly politically reliable teachers were awarded. 3) Bureaucratic apparatus rigidity and poor flexibility of the Ministry of Education and the State Committee for Scientific Degrees. 4) Ongoing continual changes in laws and regulations. 5) Lack of experienced teachers who had also been overwhelmed with paperwork and various out of university activities so they had little time to immerse in intense research activity. Analysis showed that some of the preferred fields after 1948 such as political economy were not preferred at the expense of others.

We analyze the changes in Czech economic higher education after February 1948, focusing on the policy of the Communist Party, the role of individual politicians and the process of a multiple reorganization of universities which were dedicated to educate future economists. The study deals with specific circumstances in which the University of Economics, Prague was founded. The findings are based primarily on non-released documents from the records office of the University of Economics in Prague, Archives of the Czech Technical University in Prague, interviews with eyewitnesses and released sources of personal provenience. We came to the conclusion that the University of Economics in Prague emerged from a massive reform of the economic education system which had been commenced by the Communist Party after 1948. The new university was a result of a political decision and squaring with the so called Slánism of the University of Political and Economic Sciences. It also was a content and personnel continuation of the earlier University of Economic Sciences CTU. The guarantors of this reorganization were Felix Oliva and Vladimir Sedlák, the first chancellor of the University of Economics, Prague.