economic and social history; 19th century; Moravia; modernization; public involvement of entrepreneurs; civil society; interaction in an urban environment; industrial revolution

The study deals with main spheres of public engagement of the Moravian entrepreneurs in the 19th century. This public activity is perceived as the end of the social function i.e. the role of entrepreneurs in the society. This role was determined by the position of the employer, and generally a prestige position ensuing from the ownership economic, cultural and social capital. Analysis of the public activity of the entrepreneurs is divided in two parts in this study. The first part deals with the activity immediately connected with professional interests and the position of the entrepreneur. The second part deals with the activities of the entrepreneur, which resulted rather from their growing position at the social ladder, then from the affiliation to the upper stratus: execution of the mandate in the country diet or empire counsel and political activity generally, charitable activity, association?s activity, support of art, and engagement in religion communities.

The study deals with main spheres of the public engagement of the Moravian entrepreneurs in the 19th century. The public activity is perceived as the end in of the social function i.e. role of the entrepreneurs in the society. This role was determined by the position or the employer, and generally a prestige position ensuing from the ownership economic, cultural and social capital. Analysis of public activity of the entrepreneurs is divided in two parts in this article. The first part deals with activity immediately connected with professional interests and position of the entrepreneur: with building of company social systems motivated by rational reasons, imposing pressure on local administration, publicity activity having a task of establishing favourable perception of the entrepreneur at public, making blunt the pressure of social democracy, and further the activity in commerce and business chambers. The second part deals with activities of the entrepreneur, which resulted rather from their growing position at the social ladder, then from the affiliation to the upper stratus: execution of the mandate in the country diet or empire counsel and political activity generally, charitable activity, association?s activity, support of art, and engagement in religion communities.