ABSTRACT
After the “Velvet Revolution” in the Czech Republic, an overwhelming majority of the population agreed to create the foundations of a capitalist system as quickly as possible, disregarding the character of business practices. The historical identification of the country with western civilization and the legacy of the advanced political and economic position of the Republic in the inter-war period provide a strong force driving the Czechs to focus on regaining the status of an advanced country. The whole 19th century was thus marked by a Czech national revival that aimed at national economic prosperity rather than at plain nationalism. At the system level, socialist ethics were characterized by a mostly egalitarian wage system, solidarity, social security and primacy of collective interest in the system which was more or less illegitimate for the people. The new environment requires economic efficiency based on strong achievement incentives, rational calculation, adaptivity, entrepreneurial spirit and personal responsibility.
