Municipal Elites in Karlín and Libeň between 1861 and 1914

Disertační práce Univerzita Karlova, Filozofická fakulta, Ústav hospodářských a sociálních dějin Komunální elity v Karlíně a Libni v letech 1861 - 1914 Municipal Elites in Karlín and Libeň between 1861 and 1914 Mgr. Jan Vobořil Abstract This thesis compares municipal elites in Karlín and Libeň - two suburban areas of Prague - between the years 1861 and 1914. Both municipalities were among the rapidly growing industrial communities with a significant presence of large mechanical engineering factories owned by shareholders. Moreover, Karlín also functioned as a commercial and financial center. The thesis analyzes their specific characteristics, urban development and demographics in the considered time period, as well as formation of municipal elites at the level of local government, election race and development of local politics. It also discusses the socio-professional characteristics of members of local government and their lifestyle based on collective biography considering among others their property, national preferences, social activities and housing standards and formation of family relations. Social structure in Karlín was significantly more complex than in Libeň. This was also reflected in the structure of municipal elites with important involvement of the well-educated social class, such as..