Jirí Horák
Encyclopedia
Jiří Horák was a Czechoslovak
politician. He was the first chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party
after the Velvet Revolution
in 1989.
After 1945 Horák studied at Business Institute (Vysoká škola obchodní) in Prague and was active in youth organisation of the Czechoslovak Social Democratic Party. When the Communist Party
took all power (1948) he emigrated into West Germany
and in 1951 into the United States
. He studied politology at the Columbia University
in New York
, where he later taught state law
and politology. In 1967 he obtained a position of professor.
During emigration Horák participated in activities of social democracy in exile (in 1948 the party was forcibly merged with Communist Party). After Communist Party lost its power
(1989) he returned to Czechoslovakia and re-established the party, becoming its leader. During 1990 election the party failed to obtain seats in the parliament; Horák got involved in internal party disputes. In 1992 elections the party narrowly obtained parliament presence. In 1993 Miloš Zeman
replaced Horák as party leader.
In 1993 Horák returned to the United States, from where he criticised the new strategy of Czech social democracy.
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
politician. He was the first chairman of the Czech Social Democratic Party
Czech Social Democratic Party
The Czech Social Democratic Party is a social-democratic political party in the Czech Republic.-History:The Social Democratic Czechoslavonic party in Austria was founded on 7 April 1878 in Austria-Hungary representing the Kingdom of Bohemia in the Austrian parliament...
after the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
in 1989.
After 1945 Horák studied at Business Institute (Vysoká škola obchodní) in Prague and was active in youth organisation of the Czechoslovak Social Democratic Party. When the Communist Party
Communist Party of Czechoslovakia
The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, in Czech and in Slovak: Komunistická strana Československa was a Communist and Marxist-Leninist political party in Czechoslovakia that existed between 1921 and 1992....
took all power (1948) he emigrated into West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
and in 1951 into the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He studied politology at the Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he later taught state law
State law
In the United States, state law is the law of each separate U.S. state, as passed by the state legislature and adjudicated by state courts. It exists in parallel, and sometimes in conflict with, United States federal law. These disputes are often resolved by the federal courts.-See also:*List of U.S...
and politology. In 1967 he obtained a position of professor.
During emigration Horák participated in activities of social democracy in exile (in 1948 the party was forcibly merged with Communist Party). After Communist Party lost its power
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
(1989) he returned to Czechoslovakia and re-established the party, becoming its leader. During 1990 election the party failed to obtain seats in the parliament; Horák got involved in internal party disputes. In 1992 elections the party narrowly obtained parliament presence. In 1993 Miloš Zeman
Miloš Zeman
Miloš Zeman is a well-known Czech politician. He was a member and leader of the Czech Social Democratic Party, former speaker of the chamber of deputies from 1996 until 1998, and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 1998 until 2002. He was a frequent rival of Václav Klaus...
replaced Horák as party leader.
In 1993 Horák returned to the United States, from where he criticised the new strategy of Czech social democracy.