Economic theory and social policy in interwar Czechoslovakia

The proposed project examines the economic theory of apriorism, with a primary focus on the work of Jan Loevenstein, a former student and later a key critic of Karel Engliš. A secondary focus will explore social policy, specifically the issue of worker colonies in interwar Czechoslovakia. The project aims to define and analyze Loevenstein's economic thought and compare it with the apriorist approach of Engliš. Central to this comparison is the methodological divergence between the two theorists, which will be traced through their differing perspectives on economic, monetary, and social policy, particularly regarding the causes and proposed solutions to the Great Depression. By highlighting these differences, the project seeks to provide a practical comparative analysis of their theoretical and policy-oriented contributions. Project also focuses on above mentioned worker colonies in interwar Czechoslovakia. We want to explore the conditions and possible approach of the industry towards the worker’s economic situation living in the worker colonies in two critical moments, first is the moment of post First World War period, second is the aftermath of the Great Depression. We want to implement the theory of time preference in order to try to uncover the possibility of stable negative time preference approach of the main Czechoslovakian industrial representatives and institutions towards the impoverished workers during these two critical above mentioned periods. In our project we would like to use coding and content analysis software MAXQDA for in order to assist us in our research efforts.

The project's output will consist of the submission of two research papers on the above-mentioned topics to the peer-reviewed process of an impact academic journal.