The „By Force of Thought” Public Benefit Foundation

Economist János Kornai, professor emeritus of Harvard University and Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary, though having officially retired several years ago, has no intention to cease his academic work. His research results, relevant to both economic theory and practice, have been published in books and journals in Hungarian and several other languages. He is still the most quoted author of economics both in Hungary and in Hungarian, and belongs to the most quoted two per cent group in Europe. He frequently gives talks both in Hungary and abroad. Though emeritus for some time, in the fall term of 2011 he held a series of talks on modern capitalism to master and doctoral students at Corvinus University, and in the fall and spring terms of the 2012-2013 academic year he had a research seminar with the best students of the talk series. He actively participates in the Hungarian and international research life. A new phase of his activity started in 2011, when Kalligram Publishing House, Bratislava (Pozsony), commenced the publication of Kornai’s ten-volume selected works.

Earlier Kornai managed to finance his research from several sources. He was supported by his employers, Harvard University and Collegium Budapest. Occasionally Hungarian public and international private foundations contributed to his research budget. One of its financial bases for a longer period was a research contract with one of the large banks. Those resources are not available any longer, and thus his research may come to an end. To avoid that, some friends and supporters of his have decided to establish a private foundation with the sole aim to sponsor János Kornai’s research. Kornai gladly welcomed the initiative, stressing that under no circumstances would he accept any personal gains from the foundation. But he would appreciate it if the Foundation facilitated the finances of his research, for example, research and administrative assistance, translation fees, or stationery.

The name of the Foundation, borrowing the title of Kornai’s memoirs, is ’By Force of Thought’ Public Benefit Foundation. The founders and the curators would gladly get into contact with those ready to support the continuation of Kornai’s research with their financial contribution.