The Role of Work in the Life of Loránt Hegedüs (1872–1943)

Abstract

Purpose of the study. Loránt Hegedüs was a remarkable historical figure in interwar Hungary. As a politician, economist, publicist, and belletrist, he influenced contemporary politics, economics, public life, literature, history, and religion. This study aims to understand the role of work in Hegedüs’ life; in other words, the study provides a deeper understanding of what work meant for Hegedüs, which stood behind his extraordinary performance and productivity. In addition, the study addresses further questions as to what factors influenced Hegedüs’ career choice and how, which occupation was the most significant at each stage of his life and why, as well as what his daily schedule looked like and what his working method was. Applied method. The main research question, what role work played in Hegedüs’ life, was examined chronologically and systematically throughout Hegedüs’ entire life story, in close interaction with the socio-cultural context. Levinson’s model provided the theoretical framework of the research. The Levinsonian theory interpreted man’s work as the primary base for his life in society and allowed studying individual and society (in Levinson’s words self and world) together. Based on Levinson’s theory, four periods of Hegedüs’ life were examined. A variety of sources, Hegedüs’ published writings, other contemporary publications, personal records, and a family chronicle, were used to answer the research questions. Outcomes. Work played a decisive role in Hegedüs’ entire life especially in his social integration. On the one hand his exceptional abilities, his unique family (its members, financial background, social affiliation, religion) together with his upbringing, on the other hand external circumstances (changes in politics, economy, and society) shaped Hegedüs’ idea and choices about work. As a result, Hegedüs established clear and strong values about work in adolescence and interpreted work as a duty owed to the community. In this context, his long-term goal was value creation, and his legacy, which he considered essential to support the next generation. Changes in the external world, especially challenges in work or limited possibilities for work, were reflected in the pattern of Hegedüs’ periods of life.