Abstract
The study deals with the political-philosophical standpoints of Edvard Benes. The thesis of the study is that Benes's declared political principles stem directly from his philosophical views, which he already partially formulated in the period prior to the First World War, especially in his dissertation thesis titled The Origin and Development of Modern Political Individualism (Puvod a vyvoj moderniho politickeho individualismu).
The study shows that the formulation of Benes's political stances was strongly influenced by his analysis of the modern understanding of individualism. Benes sides with 18th century contractualism, especially appreciating Locke.
The study understands Benes as a thinker and politician who reacted to the moral crisis of the first half of the 20th century, and who attempts to implement a renewal or educational process for the creation of a new Europeanhood. Benes conceived his politics as an attempt to actualise ideas in a particular social situation.