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1

Historia społeczna: 20 lat po przełomie

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Żarnowski J.

Roczniki Dziejów Społecznych i Gospodarczych

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2009

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vol. 69

191-215

EN

In the West the crisis of social history began much earlier due to a postmodern ciriticism of the paradigms of historiography from 1950–1970. In Poland the lack of trust towards social history was additionally intensified by the attempts of the communist party to render it a counterbalance to inconvenient political history. Studies on this aspect of the past, however, were not suspended after 1989, but the limits of social history still remain unclear since at present it does not possess a single dominating methodology. Today, social history is rather a collection of diverse interests, whose object is society although even the definition of the latter concept is ambiguous. The author conducted a survey of the state of research into the discussed domain in Poland in 1989–2009. He deals with the Middle Ages and modern times, listing pertinent publication series, and considers works about the social history of the nineteenth century, mentioning, i.a. the recently issued three-volume history of the intelligentsia edited by Jerzy Jedlicki. Finally, he discusses an epoch that is the focus of his own research work, i.e. the twentieth century, paying separate attention to the interwar period. The following remarks have been devoted to research concerning Polish society during the communist era – a topic that continues to stir political emotions. Contemporary research treats socio-economic problems and those with an anthropological tinge as equally making part of contemporary broad-sense social history. The future shape of this discipline can only inspire loose suppositions.

2

Recepcja poglądów ekonomicznych Zachodu w Polsce do przełomu XIII i XIV w. – stan badań

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Obara A.

Roczniki Dziejów Społecznych i Gospodarczych

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2009

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vol. 69

13-29

EN

The article presents the findings made by Polish historians as regards the dissemination and acceptance of European mediaeval thought on Polish soil. The beginnings of studies by Polish scholars dealing with assorted problems connected with the economy go back to the second half of the nineteenth century, and Stanislaw Smolka is regarded as one of the first historians who drew attention to the significance of this issue. The interests of the Polish historians were concentrated chiefly on explaining certain mechanisms ruling the economy and on recording the functioning of its practical symptoms. Pertinent Polish literature either neglected or relegated to the margin the reception of West European views about the economy in Poland during the Middle Ages. Inquiries whether and to what degree did foreign ideas influence the economic transformations occurring during the Middle Ages in Poland pertained mainly to such phenomena as the rights of the monarch in relation to the property of the subjects, the right to establish and collect taxes, usury or monetary questions.

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Revolution and the Meaning of History. An Essay on the Myth of the Revolutionary Break and the 'Logic' of History in Historiographical Thought

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Tinkova D.

Dějiny - Teorie - Kritika (History - Theory - Criticism)

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2004

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vol. 1

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issue 1

30-58

EN

The essay explores the interpretation of the French Revolution as symbolic break between 'traditional' and 'modern' society in 19th - and 20th-century historiography. The revolution, seen as a 'crossroads of history' by its participants at the time, whether supporters or opponents, forced thinkers to look for answers to the question of the direction, progress, continuity or discontinuity of the historical 'process'. I have tried to (re) construct several key interpretational schema that in turn were conditioned by political-ideological orientations. Basically there were four lines or 'stories' - conservative, liberal, republican and socialist. The 'conservative' version (from Burke to Gaxotti) rejected the revolution as a pathological phenomenon that deviated from the logic of the current of history. The liberal line more or less accepted the revolution, but only its first phase regarded as a revolution of freedom (1789-92), from which liberalism derived its own legitimacy; it rejected the 'democratic' phase of the revolution - the Terror - as a deviation from the logic of the (beneficial) revolution itself. Republican historiography emphasised and praised the initial phase of the First Republic (1792-95), in this way providing support for the legitimising foundation of the Third Republic. Socialist historiography (especially in the 20th century) encouraged favourable re-evaluation of the period of Jacobin dictatorship and thus provided a logical link between the French Revolution and the Soviet Revolution. The final section of the article is devoted to Francois Furet, one of several contemporary historians who have tried to interpret the revolution in a different way that cuts right across the political spectrum (with a mention of the fact that in recent years yet more alternative ways of bridging the classic ideological-political views of the revolution have emerged).

4

POUR UNE HISTORIOGRAPHIE ENGAGÉE: OR WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE HISTORY OF LINGUISTICS

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Koerner E. F. K.

Lingua Posnaniensis

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2005

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vol. 47

109-117

EN

The present paper intends to voice a series of critical observations based on the author's thirty-five years in the field, while at the same time offering a number of suggestions as to how the history of linguistics may improve its scholarship, and its image. Several years ago, members of the Henry Sweet Society got to read a lengthy quotation from Frederick Neumeyer's introduction to his 1996 book 'Generative Linguistics: A historical perspective' in which he reports that many of his colleagues 'feared that (he) would become tarred with the brush of being an 'historian of linguistics', who, (-), occupy a status level even lower than that of a 'semiotician' ' (HSS Bulletin 26.25). Newmeyer explained 'That this attitude results from the belief that most people who write on the history of linguistics have only the most minimal training in modern linguistics and devote their careers to attempting to demonstrate that their pet medieval grammarian or philosopher thought up some technical term before somebody's else's pet medieval grammarian or philosopher' (1996: 2). This is no doubt a caricature of what most of us have been doing during the past twenty and more years, but the suspicion may be lurking that on some aspects Newmeyer's friends may not have been entirely off the mark. One does not have to share Rüdiger Schreyer's more recent assessment either according to which 'nobody takes much interest in, or notice of, linguistic historiography - nobody in the big world beyond the ivory towers (of academe) and nobody in the linguistic community that is the natural habitat of the linguistic historiographer' (2000: 206), and maybe this would be too much to expect: 'beyond the ivory towers' even Noam Chomsky would not have become as widely known had he not become a critic of US foreign policy. Peter Schmitter is no doubt right in saying that it is not enough to write 'intelligent treatises on the necessity and usefulness of historiographic research', but his concession (Schmitter 2003a: 214) that he himself has no concrete proposal to make as to how to remedy the situation is not too encouraging. It may well be that many practitioners of linguistic historiography have become too self-satisfied and inward looking over the years, given the availability of three journals, several bulletins, an ever-increasing number of colloquia, conferences, and other international meetings around the world. It seems to me that there is enough blame to go around. One may be more inclined to share Peter Schmitter's disappointment that the findings of linguistic historiography have not successfully entered into textbooks, dictionaries of linguistic terminology, and other such places.

5

On the Turn Towards Things in the Contemporary Humanities (Towards Non-anthropocentric History)

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Domanska E.

Roczniki Dziejów Społecznych i Gospodarczych

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2005

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vol. 65

7-23

EN

The article discusses the so-called turn towards things, which became apparent in British and American humanities at the end of the 1990s. Interest in things has a long tradition, but the research questions addressed to things as well as assorted approaches and methods of their analysis have undergone changes. By following the example of Bruno Latour, numerous present-day researchers indicate that things should not be treated as passive subjects, dependent upon people, but as legitimate members of the human and non-human community which, albeit deprived of intention and consciousness, do possess a specific agency. In analysing texts by Igor Kopytoff, Cornelius Holtorf and Andrew Jones, which constitute examples of a biographic approach towards things, the authoress demonstrates that it contains discernible features characteristic of traditional epistemology: a personification of things, which is an expression of anthropocentrism, together with genealogical and genetic thinking. The biographical approach, however, is accompanied by an interesting proposal of ascribing agency to things, i.e. the impact exerted by things upon the establishment and transformation of interpersonal relations. Generally speaking, the relation between things and people becomes redefined, and objects are granted the status of active participants in the life processes in which they not only exist, but also act. The thing appears to be 'relational', and prime research emphasis is placed on studying relations and not things as such. We are dealing, therefore, with thinking in the categories of differences between man and thing, although this is a hierarchic difference, in which man constitutes a point of reference and an exemplary way in which the thing should be perceived. The 'turn towards things' thus entails a certain paradox: on the one hand, the thing is conceived as 'the other' about which biographies are written, and hence is subjected to anthropomorphisation; on the other hand, 'spokesmen of the thing' seek possibilities for departing from the anthropocentric and personifying perception or one which treats things as fetishes.

6

Z tradic české historické balkanistiky

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Stastny V.

Slovanské historické studie (Slavonic Historical Studies)

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2007

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vol. 32

287-296

EN

The beginning of Balkan Studies is connected with major territorial, social and political changes in the Balkans in the second half of the 19th century. In the Czech environment, Balkan Studies were mixed up with interest in Slavic issues to a large extent. The founding personality was Konstantin Jirecek (1854-1918), one of the co-creators of Balkan Studies on the international level. Unfortunately, as he did not live in the Czech environment, he did not educate his Czech followers. This task was fulfilled by Jaroslav Bidlo (1868-1937) who integrated Balkan Studies into his concept of the studies of the history of Slavs in Eastern and South-eastern Europe. The development of Balkan Studies strengthened after the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918, partly due to political motives. Two followers of Bidlo played a crucial role in the further development: Milada Paulova (1891-1970) in Prague and Josef Macurek (1901-1992), who later established a course in Balkan Studies at Masaryk University in Brno.

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Sniezko D.

Teksty Drugie (Second Texts)

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2008

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issue 1-2

9-18

EN

The essay deals with associations between historiography and literature (particularly, historiography and literature of early ages) in the context of changeable relations between the voice and the writing (as well as printing), understood as consecutive communicative dominants. The initial section reminds one of the interrelations between literacy, on the one hand, and historicity and literariness, on the other; subsequently, the voice vs. writing antinomy is subject to problematisation. The following sections discuss how historiography relates to the context of oral practices in its methodological, conceptual, pragmatic, genological, and communicative aspects; the contrary strivings (which tend to be the winning ones) are discussed as well. In conclusion, the new significance of the 'voice vs. writing' opposition was highlighted, against the background of modern ethical afterthought.

11

Badatel o minulosti – Magister vitae (K 80. narozeninám Janusze Tazbira)

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Kosman M.

Slovanský přehled: historická revue pro dějiny střední, východní a jihovýchodní Evropy (Slavonic Review: Review for Central, Eastern and Southeastern European history)

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2008

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vol. 94

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issue 3

491-503

EN

Janusz Tazbir, an outstanding researcher on the history of the Polish culture (i.e. 16th and 17th century religious issues in particular) has adhered to the Historical Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences almost all his career. He has become extremely popular among readers, which is not a very typical feature among researchers. The following is his professional curriculum: magister 1950, doctor 1954, docent 1960, associate professor 1966, full professor 1973, corresponding (1983) and full 1989) member of the Polish Academy of Sciences; chairman of the Union of Social Sciences (1992-1998), vice-chairman of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw (1999-2003), corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences and Arts in Krakow (2004), PEN Club and the Warsaw Scientific Society; chairman of the Central Commission for Academic Titles and Degrees (1997-2006); editor of the 'Odrodzenie i Reformacja w Polsce' (for more than half a century). Currently, he is holding a position among leading researchers of the older generation, who pursued their branch of research in agreement with reality. They adhered to the Latin saying that history is the teacher of life.

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Pranke P.

Rocznik Antropologii Historii

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2011

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issue 1-2

119-141

EN

In historical research into the origins of the first Piast state, great significance has been attached to the hypothesis about its establishment by external conquest. In response to beliefs of this type the tendency has been to show the autonomy of the first Piast state, and its struggle with the Empire arising out efforts to establish the independence of the young state. In the 20th century historiography has also emphasized the importance of internal conquest. Relatively recently historians have started to pay attention to those aspects of the written sources showing the Piasts as rulers aspiring to find their place within the aristocracy of the Empire. The Piast dynasty appear in the written sources as allies of the Empire, in which role they also appear in dedications. They were also, as was also the case with the aristocracy of the Empire, bound to the Emperor by bonds of fidelity, or found themselves in circles opposed to the Emperor. This paper refers to not only the character of their relationship, but also to changes in the structure of it. The first representative of the Piast dynasty who is mentioned by name, turns up in the masterpiece of Widukind, who dedicated his work to the Otto’s daughter Mathilda. Appearing in the historical record for the very first time, Mieszko is presented by Widukind as ‘rex Licikavicorum’. In imperial tradition a ‘Rex Licikavicorum’ is never mentioned earlier among the tribal ‘rulers” coming into Empire’s sphere of interests. The designation ‘rex’ is also a kind of title given to an administrator of one of the smaller territorial entities. The ruler of the Polanie tribe is mentioned by Widukind in the context of an account of his relative Wichman. Nevertheless, the context of those historical facts at our disposal depict the phenomenon of the gradual integration of the Piast ruler into a political and cultural system acceptable to the annalist. Widukind also designated Mieszko as ‘amicus imperatoris’. An interesting written source referring to the contacts between the Piasts and the Empire is the ‘Life of St. Udalric’. It mentions an oath made by Mieszko when wounded in his arm by a poisoned arrow. Mieszko swore in the face of death to send to St. Udalric as a votive of a hand made of silver, if he would restore him to good health. It is worthwhile emphasizing that Mieszko regained his strength thanks to the mediation of one of the allies of Otto I. The marriage with Oda (probably in the year 979/980) was also significant. Thanks to this marriage Mieszko found himself within the ranks of the aristocracy of the Empire. From this moment onwards we can talk about the considerable promotion of the Piasts in the hierarchy of the Empire. Perhaps with this marriage came also the presence of Mieszko in the obituarial sources from within the territory of the Empire. Those obituaries were included in the so-called ‘obituary annals from Fulda’. Piasts are also mentioned in Lüneburg, Regensburg and Bamberg. The last place, Bamberg, performs a special role. Piasts were at some point the official protectors of the Emperor’s grave there. Mieszko thirty years on was treated like one of the last dukes of the Reich.

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Jews in Historiography and January Uprising Writings 1864-1918. Proposed Characteristics

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Dutka W.

Kwartalnik Historii Żydow

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2008

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issue 2(226)

144-151

EN

The aurhor presents opinions on the involvement and role of the Jews before and during the 1863 January Uprising in historical writings of the years 1864-1918. The juxtaposition of the views of the participants in the disputes, former Uprising activists, and of amateur historians studying the history of the insurrection, confirms that just before the outbreak of the uprising in the Kingdom of Poland an unprecedented reconciliation occurred between the Poles and the Jews. The authors writing about that brotherhood often strike an exalted note, ascribing a symbolic significance to the granting of equal rights to Jews in the Kingdom of Poland in 1862. In the writings in question, derogatory statements about Jews, bordering on anti-Semitism, were a marginal occurrence.

19

Hranice a identita v českém histori(ografi)ckém kontextu

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Řezníková L., Řezník M.

Český časopis historický (The Czech Historical Review)

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2012

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vol. 110

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issue 3-4

596-610

EN

In the most recent decade, the thematic field of frontiers and identity, especially the interconnection of both concepts, has belonged among the symptomatic phenomena of Czech historiography. As a result, coordinated and mutually coherent works have been developed, which, in addition to research, also involved activities in the areas of historical education, the transfer of knowledge and international cooperation. It is one of the fields in which Czech historiography has been actively involved in international scientific communication, and in addition in a partly coordinator role. With the emergence of the new theme of frontiers and identity, Czech historiography relatively quickly responded to the developments in international scientific reflections. This contribution deals with reasons for this newly arisen focus, albeit neither the theme of frontiers nor the issue of identity were entirely novel categories of historical thought in the 1990s and in later years. However, at this time they attained rather new connotations and relevant meanings and in connection with this the manner of treating the subject matter has also changed. Post-modernist challenges – in terms of post-modern perspectives and critical responses to them – have become decisive preconditions of this phenomenon from the last stages of the 20th century. This contribution follows the formation of new concepts of collective identities, frontiers and space, especially in their mutual interconnection. At the same time attention is paid to mutual connections between international and Czech reflections. At its conclusion, comments are devoted to the special section of the 10th Congress of Czech Historians in Ostrava, which dealt with these issues.

20

Positivism and Liberalism. On Some Sources of the Czech Philosophy of History of the 19th Century

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Loewenstein B.

Dějiny - Teorie - Kritika (History - Theory - Criticism)

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2004

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vol. 1

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issue 1

9-29

EN

We often use the term 'positivism' imprecisely, in the sense of scientific distaste for philosophical generalisation. Here I wish to attempt a reconstruction of the intellectual historical background to the origins and character of West European positivism. The experience of the French Revolution, denounced by its critics as the result of Enlightenment theories, played a major role in the emergence of the tradition. Scientific demonstration (i.e. proof free of metaphysical speculation) of the inevitability of progress was seen as a way of ensuring that society avoided blind alleys - the terror of military despotism but also aristocratic reaction. The idea was that historical events, only superficially a mass of accidents and caprice, were in fact governed by laws as inexorable as those of the natural non-human world. Early positivist thought was motivated by this basic impulse, as can be shown in the histories of the French Revolution that are characterised in the first part of the essay. The classic works of positivist historical philosophical and sociological thinkers that are the subject of the second part of the essay are also ideological in the sense that they arise from period needs and interest in overcoming social crisis and scientifically demonstrating that progress was not just meaningful but unstoppable. The weaknesses of the concepts and arguments employed, today very obvious, were to some extent already clear to John Stuart Mill, who applied a series of liberal corrections to the Comte's version of the theory of inevitable social development. Both variants of positivism played a fundamental role in forming the historical thought of T. G. Masaryk, but the concepts of the French historians were also a discernible inspiration in Czech historiography.

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