Suchergebnisse

In the wake of the Revolutions of 1989, Hungary was long considered one of the "success stories" of post-communist transition to liberal democracy. Yet in recent years the Hungarian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has pioneered a new conception of "illiberal democracy." In a July 2014 speech, Orban indeed declared that "the era of liberal democracies is over." Similar declarations can be heard in other parts of post-communist Eastern Europe. The Hungarian Patient: Social Opposition to an Illiberal Democracy, is a collection of essays by Hungarian social scientists and intellectuals reflecting on both the sources of this emergent illiberalism and the sources of opposition to it. Because it is important for American political scientists to understand the way their colleagues in other parts of the world reflect on the challenges of democracy, and because the Hungarian situation is significant for the future of Europe and the EU, we have invited a wide range of scholars to comment on the book and on its topic—the significance of the emergence of "illiberal democracy" in Hungary and in Europe.

The growing trend for criminalising criticism of religion is a declaration of war on freedom of speech, says Miklos Haraszti

The European Union's (EU) reaction to the emergence of Haiderism in present-day Austria & Eastern European nation's subsequent response to the EU's condemnation of Austrian political developments are studied. It is contended that Haider's platform was pro-fascist & renounced Americanism, globalization, foreigners, & multiculturalism; it is suggested that Haider's rise was contingent on Austrian citizens' disillusionment with national politics & several external factors. The EU's multiple reactions to Haider's ascension are identified: uniting to move against Austria; severing bilateral ties with Austria; expressing dissatisfaction with neo-Nazi movements; & warning other Eastern European nations not to follow Austria. The ambiguous reactions of several Eastern European nations to the EU's denunciation of Haider's rise in Austria are also discussed, with attention to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's favorable perception of the Austrian government. It is concluded that European states that support such conservative movements will be denied future entry into the EU. J. W. Parker

Advances by the postcommunist & socialist parties in Central European countries (especially Poland & Hungary) during the second free elections (1994) reflect a final phase in their model liberal democratization. In contrast with the personal or sociological arguments predicting the inevitable restoration of communism, here it is suggested that differences between levels of nationalism & alignment with Western or modernization ideals advocated by party leaders are crucial. Further, Polish & Hungarian voters prefer a socialist realism & pragmatism in political action, which both the Hungarian & Polish ex-communist socialists have delivered successfully. Favoring centrist parties campaigning on a deideologized platform, the public lost interest in class politics, politically extremist positions, & the practice of bashing the communists left from predemocratic times. 1 Appendix. J. Sadler

The tenth anniversary of the collapse of communism in Central and Eastern Europe is the basis for this text which reflects upon the past ten years and what lies ahead for the future. An international group of academics and public intellectuals, including former dissidents and active politicians, engage in an exchange on the antecedents, causes, contexts, meanings and legacies of the 1989 revolutions. The contributors address various issues including liberal democracy and its enemies; modernity and discontent; economic reforms and their social impact; ethnicity; nationalism and religion; geopolitics; electoral systems and political power; European integration; and the demise of Yugoslavia