Zwei Grossgrundbesitzer von Somogy an der Spitze der ungarischen Agrar-politik in der Zwischenkriegszeit – die Tätigkeit von Graf László Somssich und Graf Miksa Hoyos

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to shed light on the economic policy challenges of the era by examining the activities of two influential figures in Hungary's agricultural policy during the Horthy system. It is worth noting that Hungary missed out on the large-scale land reforms that took place in Central and Eastern Europe after World War I, as they aimed to preserve the large estates. However, in the county of Somogy, two counts played a crucial role in shaping agricultural policy. Applied methods: The study does not seek to draw parallels between the work of these two individuals, but rather aims to present a descriptive account of the contrasting aspects of contemporary agricultural policy. To achieve this, the analysis primarily relies on various almanacs, memoirs, annals, contemporary statistics, press articles, and later historical commentaries. The outcomes of the study reveal the significant contributions of Count László Somssich and Count Hoyos Miksa. Count László Somssich served as the president of the OMGE, an organization dedicated to protecting the interests of large landlords throughout the Horthy system. Despite the shifting political landscape towards extremism, Somssich, who was aligned with Bethlen and Teleki, retained his position and played a vital role in establishing a new foundation for Hungarian economic policy after 1920. He effectively utilized his international connections during the economic crisis of that time. On the other hand, Count Hoyos Miksa assumed the role of the head of the Chamber of Agriculture during a critical period, specifically the crisis. He made significant contributions to addressing the challenges faced by the cereal production sector, which was severely affected. One notable solution implemented was the introduction of a special system called the "boletta," which was strongly advocated by Miksa Hoyos. The fact that both László Somssich and Miksa Hoyos were technocratic professionals is evident from their positions as chairmen and senior officials in numerous national and regional economic associations. Additionally, each of them managed a model estate.