Dismissal, Expulsion, and Emigration of German-Speaking Economists after 1933

In: Journal of the history of economic thought, Volume 27, Issue 4, p. 405-420

Abstract

The dismissal of academicians from German universities under the Restoration of Civil Service Act (Gesetz zur Wiederherstellung des Berufsbeamtentums), promulgated by the National Socialists on April 7, 1933, and the expulsion of academicians from Germany, Austria, and other European countries interrupted or destroyed promising developments in economics, as well as in physics or other areas. According to this new "law," which was passed by the Nazis in a short cut immediately after coming to power, "disagreeable" persons could be dislocated from the public service predominantly for racist (section 3) or political (section 4) reasons.