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 16
Page xiii
... Szalai notes, 'the history of Eastern Europe, especially in the age of globalisation, can only be understood as embedded in international relations and its transformations' (Szalai, 2010: 134). Hungary's alleged crisis of democracy is ...
... Szalai notes, 'the history of Eastern Europe, especially in the age of globalisation, can only be understood as embedded in international relations and its transformations' (Szalai, 2010: 134). Hungary's alleged crisis of democracy is ...
Page xx
... (Szalai, 2010: 140; Sinclair, 2014; Gill, 1998; The Economist, 2011). In part its anti-IMF rhetoric, like the criticisms of the EU, was a political gesture by Fidesz designed to appeal to the emotions of Hungarians dismayed by the ...
... (Szalai, 2010: 140; Sinclair, 2014; Gill, 1998; The Economist, 2011). In part its anti-IMF rhetoric, like the criticisms of the EU, was a political gesture by Fidesz designed to appeal to the emotions of Hungarians dismayed by the ...
Page xxiii
... Szalai has called 'semi-peripheral socialism' (Szalai, 2006:3). Over the course of the C20 both conservative and state socialist elites in the core came to embrace the principles of liberal democracy and capitalist markets, in practice ...
... Szalai has called 'semi-peripheral socialism' (Szalai, 2006:3). Over the course of the C20 both conservative and state socialist elites in the core came to embrace the principles of liberal democracy and capitalist markets, in practice ...
Page 12
... Szalai argues that the DT process saw Hungary located firmly in the semi-periphery with all of the hallmarks of such a nation-state: the dual structure of the economy and society; increasing levels of income inequality, weak civil ...
... Szalai argues that the DT process saw Hungary located firmly in the semi-periphery with all of the hallmarks of such a nation-state: the dual structure of the economy and society; increasing levels of income inequality, weak civil ...
Page 13
... (Szalai, 2006; Navarro, 1982; Brenner, 1976; Denemark and Thomas, 1988). Politically, the Soviet system sought to create an autonomous space for the Soviet Union and its satellites in the MWS but was never able to achieve this goal fully ...
... (Szalai, 2006; Navarro, 1982; Brenner, 1976; Denemark and Thomas, 1988). Politically, the Soviet system sought to create an autonomous space for the Soviet Union and its satellites in the MWS but was never able to achieve this goal fully ...
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