Statement by Tomáš Karásek, the FSV UK Dean, on the anniversary of November 17

Read the statement of Tomáš Karásek, the FSV UK Dean, on the anniversary of November 17, 1989.

Dear colleagues,

When remembering the events of November 17, 1989, we often – and quite rightly – talk about the courage that students demonstrated in the face of the armed elements of communist power. Thanks to their courage and the courage of all others who contributed to the fall of the communist regime, we have been able to live in freedom for more than a quarter of a century. This is an exceptional privilege not only from a historical perspective, but unfortunately also in the context of the attacks that liberal democracy is currently facing from many directions.

The reasons for the current erosion of democratic governance are undoubtedly complex, as is also evident from the outputs of many research activities carried out at our faculty. With some simplification, it can perhaps be said that one of the more general causes of current problems is the fading of the understanding that the privilege of living in freedom is not “self-supporting”. Free, democratic systems should not forget that they must prove their value in competition with autocratic opponents not only on a normative level, but also on a highly practical level. That is, they should be a more effective, dynamic, flexible and functional alternative.

I am convinced that this message is also a legacy of the November 1989 events. The slogan “back to Europe” was not only an expression of the value and geopolitical rejection of Soviet rule, but also a call for a better functioning of society, economy and politics. If we adhere to the legacy of November 17, we should therefore take very seriously the expectation that freedom is not a goal, but a tool for ensuring a better life.

I will take this opportunity to commit to a more effective functioning and dynamic development at the level of the management of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University. I greatly appreciate the trust that the Academic Senate FSV UK has placed in me after almost four years as Dean, and I promise that in my second term of office I will do everything to make our faculty an ever better and more beneficial home for its academic community.

PhDr. JUDr. Tomáš Karásek, Ph.D.