The Relationship Between Talent Development and Civic Protestant Ethics in the Horthy Era

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between Protestant ethics and talent development in Hungary during the Horthy era (1920–1944), drawing on Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism and Rita Kattein-Pornói’s The History of the National Hungarian Rural Talent Rescue. It examines the influence of Reformed secondary schools in shaping talent development strategies, contrasting their bottom-up, faith-driven approach with state-led programs under a predominantly Catholic administration. The study highlights the religious-philosophical underpinnings of Protestant educational ethics, particularly their emphasis on vocation, moral discipline, and talent as a divine gift entrusted to the community.

A comparative analysis reveals the significant role of Protestant Puritanism in fostering a structured approach to learning, ethical labour, and personal development. It also investigates the limitations of state-driven initiatives, which, while financially supportive, lacked the ethical and communal integration that characterized church-led programs. The research further touches upon the implications of talent development for Jewish intellectuals in the era, focusing on the “numerus clausus” law and the broader socio-political context.

This study argues that religious ethics played a crucial role in shaping Hungary’s early talent development initiatives, influencing both educational policy and societal expectations. By integrating religious philosophy into historical educational research, it offers a more nuanced understanding of the intersection between faith, education, and social mobility in the early 20th century.