Makarenko-interpretations in Hungary in the 1950s

Abstract

In the Hungarian socialist pedagogy and education science developing after 1945, a strong Makarenko cult had been formed in accordance with the Stalinist pedagogical pattern. The Makarenko-interpretations of the era also had readings in education policy, science policy, pedagogy, and psychology. Accordingly, the direction of education policy strongly influenced the image of Makarenko, be it Stalinist or anti-Stalinist. The current image of Makarenko has always referred to the situation of the socialist science policy, with special regard to the relationship and opposition between pedagogy and psychology. Finally, especially in the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Makarenko-interpretations sought to provide professional pedagogical assistance to educators loyal to the socialist system in establishing and maintaining socialist schools. The main feature of the Makarenko-interpretations of the Stalinist era in the early 1950s is the fact there was only one and exclusive Makarenko-interpretation. In the second half of the 1950s in the emerging Kadar-system/regime, not only one but at least two kinds of Makarenko-interpretations appeared legitimately in the field of education. However, the possibility of developing more differentiated Makarenko-interpretations did not necessarily refer to greater professional autonomy, but rather could be seen as an indicator of the de-Stalinization process that began during the Khrushchev Thaw. Namely, the new socialist system built after 1956 had already provided an opportunity to present new pedagogical approaches with different socialist content in the field of education. It was with the restriction that they should be in accordance with its policy in contrast with monolithic Stalinist era.