The German Studies Association responded to the tentative decison to
close the Max Planck Institut fuer Geschichte (MPIG) by the following letter:


Professor Dr. Hubert Markl
Praesident der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
(address typed in original)

Dear Professor Markl:

The German Studies Association (GSA), North American scholarly
association of professors of German history, literature, culture, and
political science, has learned with regret of the tentative decision to
close the Max Planck Institute for History in Goettingen. We urge you and
your colleagues in the Senate of the Max Planck Gesellschaft to
reconsider this decision. We specifically call your attention to two
important grounds for reconsideration.

1. The MPIG has conducted important basic research with a continuity that
has not been matched at other institutions. The research has been of high
quality, and well recognized. This research has international
implications, as evidenced by the relations of the MPIG with institutes
and scholars across the breadth of Europe and in the United States and
Canada. Not only has the MPIG built ties with western, but also with
eastern Europe, and transatlantic ties as well. Prof. Dr. Lehmann has
cemented these ties through his term at the German Historical Institute
in Washington, and they serve the MPIG well. Whle it is true that other
institutes in Germany might carry on some of this work, it is also true
that what has been ended will not be completely restored. In short, much
will close.

2. This is the only such historical institute of the prestigious Max
Planck Gesellschaft, and its closing sends a terrible signal. We all
labor under the pressures of rising costs and limited resources. But,
Germany holds a special place in the eyes of historians around the world.
For many of us, Germany is synonymous with the study of history, a
discipline whose great German professors of past centuries are still
studied and admired. We all expect cost paring, but elimination is
another matter, and in Germany of all places, and by the prestigious Max
Planck Gesellschaft. What signal will that be within Germany, where other
funding authorities may now see a justification to eliminate or to cut
drastically? We are aware of financial pressures, and have them in this
country as well. Alas, this is not simply one institute among many, and
one that focuses on a discipline different from the many others. It is
almost a symbol.  Certainly, history is done elsewhere in Germany, as
research in all disciplines is done elsewhere in Germany. For example,
chemistry is done elsewhere in Germany, as is physics. Such an argument
for eliminating history from the Max Planck Gesellschaft could also
support the elimination of chemistry and physics. Such an argument could
support the reduction of the study of history at German universities. We
acknowledge your budget needs and know that you must be searching to
preserve the reputation of the Max Planck as best as you can.

But, research in the humanities and social sciences is most important
when it is also supported by those in the natural and physical sciences.
This makes a statement that society itself, even including those in the
natural and physical sciences, understand the importance of history and
culture for its very essence. This is why the Max Planck Gesellschaft
will make a statement by closing its institute in history. What Germany
does will have reverberation.

The German Studies Association urges you and the Senate of the Max Planck
Gesellschaft to reconsider. We understand as academics and as academic
administrators what pressures you face, and sincerely sympathize with
them. Nevertheless, we hope that you will find some way to preserve the
Institute.

In collegial concern, on the authority of the Executive Council of the
Association.

(signed)
Prof. Dr. Gerhard L. Weinberg
President of the Association

(signed)
Prof. Dr. Gerald R. Kleinfeld
Executive Director of the Association

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