Żydzi w samorządach miast galicyjskich (na przykładzie Krakowa i Lwowa)

The presence of Jews in the representations of Galician cities was both one of the results of the introduction of their equal rights, and its consolidation. Jews present in municipal governments took care about matters relevant not only for their community. They engaged in key projects directed at all citizens, regardless of faith and nationality. The voting system (due to the specific division into circles and curiae) preferred the richest and the best-educated. In consequence, the Jewish community was commonly represented in city councils by those coming from families of assimilated representatives of intelligentsia, merchants and bankers. Obviously, the greatest percentage of white-collar employees could be observed in bigger cities, being seats of courts, barrister’s chambers, notary offices, secondary schools and higher education institutions. Therefore, from that time on, their voice could be heard in the public space and had to be taken into account.