Horkheimer deliberately overstated his American standing to strengthen his hand in Frankfurt

Evidence

It was only realistic for Horkheimer to take the view that they should follow a policy of aloofness, to create the impression that they had a stronger position in the United States and that, because of their numerous commitments there, their activities in Frankfurt were a great concession. They must avoid anything that might give the impression that they were looking for professorships which they could not get in the USA. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 1744

Categorization

• XREF: Negotiation/bluffing dynamic connecting to broader émigré-repatriation strategy literature and to Horkheimer’s institutional maneuvering later detailed in this book.