Antall József szerk.: Orvostörténeti közlemények 69-70. (Budapest, 1973)
SZEMLE KÖNYVEKRŐL - Bödy, P: Joseph Eötvös and the Modernization of Hungary, 1840—1870 (Antall, József)
the national movements which later facilitated the collapse of the Monarchy now sought the support of the whole against the part, against the Hungarians. No inner reform could have balanced these factors. The most important chapter of the work —and also the one which produces much that is new —deals with the period between 1849 and 1859 and examines Eötvös's theoretical writings, where he studied the part played by the doctrine of liberty, equality and nationality in the life of modern society. He sent the German version of his great work, The Influence of the Ruling Ideas of the 19th Century on the State (translated by some writers as Dominant Ideas) to Tocqueville, who acknowledged it in an appreciative letter emphasizing the kindred spirit of their philosophies. 3 Body's merit lies in making this connection of Eötvös with the greatest foreign representatives of liberalism well established by going back to the original sources and by giving a fresh interpretation of the writings of Eötvös. In the author's opinion Eötvös's critique of centralization, democratic sovereignty and the principle of nationality was formulated in accord with the views of Tocqueville and Sismondi in the years following the revolutions of 1848. As Body emphasizes Eötvös rejected mainly the intolerant features of "the dominant ideas", the difficulty of reconciling nationalism with freedom, and the dictatorial tendencies inherent in the national doctrine. In this Eötvös followed the already mentioned Western European liberal thinkers and some trends of German liberalism. Discussing the period of 1859—1867 the emphasis is on Eötvös's efforts to find a compromise solution to the question of Hungary within the Empire, to solve the nationality question and to help reorganize the Habsburg Monarchy along modern lines. His proposals on linguistic, educational and national matters all aimed at this end, combining it with a process of démocratisation. While Deák worked for a settlement between the dynasty and Hungary, Eötvös wanted an understanding with "Austria" and Hungary, based upon cooperation with the Austrian liberals. 4 The second ministerial term of Eötvös (1867—71) is well summarized by the author. As Minister of Public Instruction he worked for two key issues: compulsary public education and the settling of the nationality question. He thought that the solution of the latter and of the problem of the Churches lies in the establishment of democratic self-government. Both here and in discussing the reform proposals concerning secondary and higher education the author stands on firm ground by using rich archival materials and the contemporary press. In conclusion we may state that Paul Body's study is based on wide reading and the thorough analysis of the sources. Investigating the political philosophy of a sensitive and responsive liberal statesman he introduced new elements into the study of the political life and the Western intellectual contacts of Hungary 3 His relation to John Stuart Mill was treated by István Gál in Filológiai Közlöny, 1969, pp. 211-220. 4 This was expounded by the author of this review in his article on Eötvös and the preparation of the Compromise, Századok, 19H9, No. 6.
