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Academic Anti-Semitism and the Austrian School: Vienna, 1918–1945

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Abstract

The theme of academic anti-Semitism has been widely discussed recently in histories of the interwar period of the University of Vienna, in particular its Faculty of Law and Policy Sciences. This paper complements these studies by focusing on the economics chairs of this faculty and, more generally, on the fate of the younger generation of the Austrian School of Economics. After some introductory remarks the paper concentrates on three case studies: the neglect of Mises in all three appointments of economics chairs in the 1920s; the anti-Semitic overtones in the conflict between Hans Mayer and Othmar Spann, both professors of economics in the faculty; and on anti-Semitism as a determinant of success or failure in academia, and consequently of the emigration of Austrian economists. Finally, we have a short look at the development of economics at the University of Vienna during and after the Nazi regime.

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Notes

  1. See Gauakt Johannes [sic] Mayer, ÖStA, AdR, BMI, Gauakt Zl. 240.709 (enclosed in the Gauakt Johannes Sauter). For the abbreviation of archival sources, see the respective section in the references. If not indicated otherwise, translations from German-language sources are mine.

  2. See e.g. Aly (2011) and Hamann (1999); on the University of Vienna, see Rathkolb (2013). On the problem of defining a Jewish identity, see Ash (2013) and Melichar (2006).

  3. For a general overview of the faculty in the interwar period, see Goller (1997), Schartner (2011), and the contributions in Meissel et al. (2012); on the economics chairs, see Klausinger (forthcoming).

  4. Typically, German nationalist newspapers published lists of Jewish members of the faculties and warned students against attending their lectures; this might also have been a signal for making them the target of violent disturbances. On attacks against Jewish teachers, see e.g. Nemec and Taschwer (2013).

  5. For more details, see Hayek (1992, 23–25) and Klausinger (2012).

  6. See the respective documents in ÖStA, AVA, Unterricht, boxes 609–615. On the de facto existence of a numerus clausus, see e.g. the recollections of J. Herbert Furth, letter to Gottfried Haberler, May 11, 1984, in HIA, GHP, box 14, folder Haag (Furth was Haberler’s brother-in-law and a close friend of Hayek from their student days).

  7. See Hayek (1978), Robbins (1971, 107), and Craver (1986, 4–5).

  8. See on this Klausinger (forthcoming).

  9. Notably in the faculty’s final vote to include Mises in the list at third place (with 11 pro and 8 con), of the seven Jewish professors present only one (Grünberg) voted against Mises.

  10. For example, the conflict is emphasized in the memories of the Austrian economists interviewed in Craver (1986), and in the recollections of Furth mentioned above. On Mayer see also Klausinger (2013).

  11. For biographical information on Spann see Müller (2013).

  12. As representative for his early period in Vienna see Spann (1911, 1921).

  13. On the race question see Spann (1929a, b).

  14. “Grenznutzens Glück und Ende. Der ruhmlose Untergang einer vielgerühmten Lehre. – Josef Schumpeter und Johann Mayer als letzte Bannerträger”, Dötz, Nov 28, 1925, 3–4.

  15. See “Wie Professor Spann über seine Kollegen schreiben lässt”, Arbeiter-Zeitung, Dec 1, 1925, 4. Haberler and Mayer himself, in letters to Morgenstern, Nov 30 and Dec 7, 1925, and Dec 8, 1925, respectively (in DL, OMP, boxes 2 and 3), left no doubt that they associated Spann with this attack.

  16. The minutes of this session have been reprinted in Rathkolb (1989, 198).

  17. “Abhilfe muss werden! Was sich Juden und Marxisten an unseren Hochschulen erlauben”, Dötz, Sept 26, 1926.

  18. “Das Vertrauensvotum für Professor Hupka. Professor Mayer muß sich als Antragsteller bekennen”, Dötz, Dec 21, 1926.

  19. “Jüdisches Diktat an der Universität”, Dötz, July 12, 1927. Referring to these years, the confident in Gauakt Mayer even speaks of the University’s “Jewish era”.

  20. For the following, see Klausinger (2012) and the documents quoted there.

  21. Since Reder (2000) Hayek’s position towards Jews has been questioned in the literature. Yet, Hayek’s friends from student days, e.g. J. Herbert Furth (see his letter to Stephan Boehm, Mar 17, 1993, possession of Stephan Boehm), himself of Jewish origin, largely absolve Hayek from this suspicion although he was born into a family where German nationalism and anti-Semitism prevailed. Hayek (undated, 37) himself recollects the “anti-Semitism in the post-war period,” and that “outstanding teachers” were “alleged not to have been promoted solely because of their Jewishness.”

  22. See e.g. Rellstab (1991, 60–65). A particular striking example are the invectives addressed at Mises, when Morgenstern found out that Mises might be a competitor in the application for a Rockefeller fellowship, see the entry in Morgenstern’s diary of Mar 16, 1925 (in DL, OMP, box 12).

  23. See “Berufungsmanöver an der Universität. Hervorragender Philosemitismus – hervorragende Gelehrsamkeit,” Dötz, Dec 30, 1926; the fact is also mentioned in the anonymous report in Gauakt Mayer.

  24. AdU, Rigorosenakten, J RA ST 271, 1925.

  25. See on this Klausinger (2004).

  26. Wieser (1926, 373) also refers to the advantage of Jews in comparison to Aryans due to their “more rapidly maturing oriental nature.”

  27. See Machlup (1980, 135–136), Craver (1986, 23–24), letter, Morgenstern to Haberler, Mar 30, 1934 (in HIA, GHP, box 65), and letter, Machlup to Mayer, Oct 21, 1935 (in HIA, FMP, box 52, folder 24).

  28. For Haberler’s very favorable judgment, see his letter to Morgenstern, Apr 6, 1927 (in DL, OMP, box 2).

  29. Another female Viennese economist, Louise Sommer, had to go to Geneva for her habilitation; see Hagemann (2002, 690).

  30. See e.g. “Professor Hold v. Ferneck – der neue Rektor der Wiener Universität,” Neues Wiener Journal, June 23, 1934, depicting the loyal Mayer as the rival candidate to Hold who was a well-known Pan-German.

  31. On Spann’s political activities and failures, see e.g. Haag (1969) and Wasserman (2010, chs. 3, 5 and 7). For a voluminous incriminating document on the Spann circle, prepared in 1936 by the Reich’s security agency see the appendix in Maass (2010).

  32. Mayer’s report is preserved in AdU, Personalakt Spann (J PA 396), Akademischer Senat, Studienjahr 1941/42, S.Z. 213.

  33. Letter to Dr. Wächter, April 9, 1939, in ÖStA, AdR, Unterricht, PA Spann, Z. 8144/1940.

  34. See Grandner (2005, 307–311).

  35. Letter to Hans Riehl, July 1, 1949, in Müller (1997, 23).

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  1. WU Vienna, Department of Economics, Welthandelsplatz 1, A-1020, Vienna, Austria

    Hansjoerg Klausinger

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Klausinger, H. Academic Anti-Semitism and the Austrian School: Vienna, 1918–1945. Atl Econ J 42, 191–204 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11293-014-9410-x

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