Crisis and/or transition within the Gusti School – 1932-1934. From Anton Golopenţia’s correspondence point of view

Abstract

This article analyzes a genuine, albeit insufficiently studied phenomenon: ”the sociological monography crisis” that appeared within the Gustian School between 1932-1934. The study of this crisis – which emerged against the backdrop of the Great Depression – is important not only for the history of Romanian sociology, but also for understanding the state of culture in Bucharest during those years. The author is aware that, theoretically speaking, this crisis contained many „layers”. However, this study applies the methods of social history and therefore deals with the most important aspects of the crisis. These comprise Professor Dimitrie Gusti’s tenure as Minister of Education, the writing campaigns in Făgăraş, the intensification of the monographists’ press activity, and the original debates of the Criterion association.

Keywords

• sociological monography
• Dimitrie Gusti
• Henri H. Stahl
• Anton Golopenţia
• the interwar press
• social history