Expert Cultures in Central Eastern Europe

The Internationalization of Knowledge and the Transformation of Nation States since World War I

Edited by Martin Kohlrausch Edited by Katrin Steffen Edited by Stefan Wiederkehr

Book cover: Expert Cultures in Central Eastern Europe

Extent: 272 pages

Publisher: Duncker & Humblot

Subjects: Twentieth- & Twenty-First- Century History

Series: Einzelveröffentlichungen des Deutschen Historischen Instituts Warschau

Series volume number: 23

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(May 2010)

ISBN: 9783938400586

6.02 x 8.98 inches

Price: $87.00

On back order

The 20th century can be described as the century of the expert. The emergence of the expert as a specific type of professionally qualified individual was a result of the growing scientification of economy, society and politics. In his public function, the expert always operates between a universalist understanding of science and the politically defined requirements of the nation state.

This volume examines the fate of the expert in Central Eastern Europe from the breakdown of the dynastic empires after World War I to the end of Communism. This multiethnic region with its turbulent tradition of statehood and changing political systems provides an ideal case to reveal the complex relationship between the transnational cooperation among experts on the one hand and their national orientation on the other.


The 20th century can be described as the century of the expert. The emergence of the expert as a specific type of professionally qualified individual was a result of the growing scientification of economy, society and politics. In his public function, the expert always operates between a universalist understanding of science and the politically defined requirements of the nation state.

This volume examines the fate of the expert in Central Eastern Europe from the breakdown of the dynastic empires after World War I to the end of Communism. This multiethnic region with its turbulent tradition of statehood and changing political systems provides an ideal case to reveal the complex relationship between the transnational cooperation among experts on the one hand and their national orientation on the other.

  • Edited by Martin Kohlrausch
  • Edited by Katrin Steffen
  • Edited by Stefan Wiederkehr