Hungary’s Crisis of Democracy: The Road to SerfdomTo make sense of this the author draws upon two traditions of thought, world systems-analysis, which situates Hungary in the context of its incorporation in the modern capitalist world-system after the fall of communism; and anarchist social thought which provides a unique way of seeing the actions of states and political elites. In so doing the book argues that the events unfolding in Hungary cannot be explained on the basis of Hungarian exceptionalism but must be situated in the broader political and economic context that has shaped the development of Hungary since 1990. The form of capitalism introduced in Hungary and across the region of East and Central Europe has systematically undermined the strong state and social security that had existed under communism, and when added to the failure of the left and liberals in the region it has paved the way for far-right and neo-fascist political movements to emerge claiming the mantle of defenders of society from the market. This represents a fundamental threat to the enlightenment traditions that have shaped dominant modern political ideologies and raises profound problems for both the EU and NATO. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 57
Page xi
... Orbán saw as a 'revolution of the ballot boxes' (Élő, 2015; Halmai, 2014: 497). First, the nature of the constitution drawn up in the transition process (1989–1990) was always problematic, based as it was upon the Stalinist constitution ...
... Orbán saw as a 'revolution of the ballot boxes' (Élő, 2015; Halmai, 2014: 497). First, the nature of the constitution drawn up in the transition process (1989–1990) was always problematic, based as it was upon the Stalinist constitution ...
Page xiv
... Orbán. The role of elites and intellectuals in the DT and post-Communist Hungarian political culture will be given particular attention. By political elites, following Mills, we are referring to those occupying the key posts in the ...
... Orbán. The role of elites and intellectuals in the DT and post-Communist Hungarian political culture will be given particular attention. By political elites, following Mills, we are referring to those occupying the key posts in the ...
Page xvi
... Orbán and his allies it is understandable that Fidesz would take the unprecedented opportunity given them by the 2010 election result to use it to their maximum advantage in order to bring about a total transformation of Hungary. As ...
... Orbán and his allies it is understandable that Fidesz would take the unprecedented opportunity given them by the 2010 election result to use it to their maximum advantage in order to bring about a total transformation of Hungary. As ...
Page xix
... Orbán calls a 'central arena of power', eschewing the need for political and social pluralism and cosmopolitan liberal values along the way and in particular the idea that the state is a neutral institution (Bozóki, 2015:12). The ...
... Orbán calls a 'central arena of power', eschewing the need for political and social pluralism and cosmopolitan liberal values along the way and in particular the idea that the state is a neutral institution (Bozóki, 2015:12). The ...
Page xxi
... Orbán's unorthodox policies did achieve many of the orthodox economic goals that previous Hungarian governments had failed to attain', including a reduced budget deficit and reduced public sector debt (Bod, 2012b; Piasecki, 2015). In ...
... Orbán's unorthodox policies did achieve many of the orthodox economic goals that previous Hungarian governments had failed to attain', including a reduced budget deficit and reduced public sector debt (Bod, 2012b; Piasecki, 2015). In ...
Contents
1 | |
23 | |
The Evolution of Fidesz | 49 |
Social Movement Protest 1 | 83 |
Digital Governance and Media Wars | 111 |
Social Movement Protest 2 | 131 |
The European Union NATO and the Hungarian Crisis | 151 |
Conclusion | 175 |
Bibliography | 181 |
Index | 219 |
About the Author | 223 |
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Common terms and phrases
alliance amongst anarchist anarchist squint Andor argued authoritarian Berend Bokros Bozóki Budapest capital capitalist Central challenge civil society coalition commitment Communist communities constitution core countries critical defend democratic dominant election electoral elite theory emerged Europe European Facebook far-right far-right and neo-fascist fascist Fidesz Fidesz government global goals groups Hudson Hungarian political Hungary Hungary’s idea ideology illiberal important institutions Jobbik Korkut last viewed October left-liberal liberal democracy major ment military Milla MSZMP MSZP MSZP-SZDSZ nation-state nationalist NATO neo-fascism neo-fascist neoliberal notes Orbán organisation percent periphery policies political and economic political culture political elites political parties popular population post-Communist post-DT Press privatisation promote reforms regime relationship revolution role Roma rule semi-periphery social movements socialist Soviet Union Szalai SZDSZ tion Tökés transformation transition undermine viewed October 30 Viktor Orbán Wallerstein welfare Western whilst world-system