The intellectual legacy of Galician professors at the Jagiellonian University in the works by Adam Heydel

Abstract

The article analyzes the work of Adam Heydel, a Polish economist, living in the years 1893–1941. He graduated from school at the time when Krakow was subordinated to Austria. When Poland regained its independence, he promoted views of economic liberalism, being a hardened opponent of laissez-faire. The study provides reasons why Adam Heydel was not its supporter. The main thesis of the article is as follows: Adam Heydel was not an advocate of laissez-faireism as a result of the influence exerted by Julian Dunajewski (1821–1907), Michał Bobrzyński (1849–1935) and Włodzimierz Czerkawski (1868–1913). Their intellectual achievements were created in Galicia at the Jagiellonian University and in the circles of Cracow intellectuals. Adam Heydel learnt their ideas thanks to Adam Krzyżanowski (1873-1963). Adam Krzyżanowski's teachers were: Michał Bobrzyński and Włodzimierz Czerkawski. Adam Heydel himself wrote about Julian Dunajeski, saw the limitations of the liberal point of view and felt the burning need for a broader view of economic matters, namely in the socio-national-cultural perspective. He created original and high-level economic thought. His concept of rational liberalism is an antidote to neoliberalism and libertarianism.