Suchergebnisse

The ruling coalition in Hungary values tradition, retrieving it in areas that affect both the private sphere of citizens and the public sphere of institutions through political narratives that are implemented by law. Although the "recovered" and interpreted tradition shapes a collective imagination and a normative framework that, according to current language, could be described as extremely conservative, political narratives and normative interventions contribute to social change in an illiberal sense. They intercept widespread malaise and increase discrimination against minorities already at risk. Moving from a unique model of social regulation based on the family, the ruling coalition establishes a link between the latter and the nation, introduces bans on the registration of gender change and the promotion of LGBT contents. Within migration policy, it also constructs the target of migrants and uses Christianity as an ethno-identity component, meanwhile adopting measures that prevent the implementation of Christian values. Moreover, Hungarian narratives, while rejecting the fundamental rights-centered narrative of the liberal tradition, are able to politically "exploit" the expectations it creates among citizens. Following a populist logic, the ruling coalition openly rejects the liberal fundamental rights narrative, but at the same time fully utilizes it.

This article contributes to further understanding the meaning of 'cultural diversity' as it has developed in the external relations of the European Union (EU). The notion of cultural diversity described here adheres to the definition adopted by the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (UNESCO Convention). This article assumes that the concept of cultural diversity touches upon both economic interests and socio-cultural spheres that have an influence on people's lives. Using an approach that analyses the law in context, emphasizing the socio-political framework in which this concept has taken shape, this article explores how cultural diversity is depicted in international trade relations. This analysis aims at explaining how cultural diversity was addressed in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada. During these negotiations, cultural issues have, in fact, been among some of the most debated topics. Canada and the EU share similar, but not identical, understanding of the concept of cultural diversity in international trade. In order to disclose their different positions, this article analyses the development of cultural diversity within the broader contexts in which this notion has taken shape and the conflicting interests involved in its negotiation, promotion and protection. This article examines how the notion of cultural diversity has been portrayed within World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on audiovisual services and the contribution of the UNESCO Convention to its development. An analysis of the 2009 China-Publications and AV Products case settled by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body offers insight into how the complex legal and political framework of the EU's external relations impacts its role in protecting and promoting cultural diversity. Finally, this paper contributes new observations about how CETA has influenced understandings of cultural diversity and offers a few conclusions about the impact that this agreement may have on its effectiveness as a concept. It also includes considerations on how this notion may be shaped by the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) and reflections on the concept of protectionism.