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Critique of the United States in the Work of West German Intellectuals in the Post-War Period
Kropáčková, Kristina ; Hornát, Jan (advisor) ; Szobi, Pavel (referee)
This thesis examines postwar criticism of the United States in the writings of four West German intellectuals: Hans Werner Richter, Karl Barth, Ernst von Salomon, and Leo L. Matthias. It views their reflection in the context of the concept of the "third way," the search for an alternative solution to Germany's political and economic heading after World War II, which included a reflection on the United States. The thesis highlights the fact that despite the positive attitude of the political leadership towards the United States, especially in the Westbindung policy of German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, a critical attitude towards the United States can be observed in intellectual circles, both among left and right-wing individuals. The aim of this paper is to identify the extent of this critical debate. Thus, using the methods of intellectual history, the central themes that selected intellectuals have addressed in their critique are successively identified. The thesis is divided into five chapters. The first four discuss the relationship of each intellectual to the United States in the period 1945-1955. The fifth chapter summarizes the main findings and compares the differences and similarities in the approaches of the intellectuals examined.
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Karl Barth and the Literature
Lis, Marek ; Zbytovský, Štěpán (advisor) ; Tvrdík, Milan (referee)
The diploma thesis deals with the selected works of Karl Barth towards the development of modern German literature. Barth's theology as a dissenting voice with the then predominant phenomenon of Kulturprotestantism established a clear difference between divine revelation and its historic manifestations (religion, church organization). God is contradiction to all human ideas of Himself. This basic knowledge is suggested in his two major works: Letter to the Romans and the Church Dogmatics. In both there are visible similarities with expressionism, although Barth himself prefers to use literature of the 19th century for his argumentation. Barth wasn't famous for reception of modern literature. However, Barth's work became inspiration for Swiss countryman, writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Towards the end of his life, Barth launched a friendly correspondence with Carl Zuckmayer. That was during the time, where Barth was searching in so called human theology for a new explanation of God-Man relation, this time with respect to the Man.
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