Hungary: Between Democracy and Authoritarianism

by Paul Lendvai

How has Hungary, a country once considered the vanguard of postcommunist political and economic reforms, become the chilling example of the new threats now destabilizing democracies across Central Europe? The unwelcome return of Hungary's long-buried demons -- nationalism, ethnic hatred, deeply-rooted corruption, and authoritarian tendencies -- are raising legitimate concerns. Since winning a two-thirds majority in parliament in the spring of 2010, right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has embarked on a sweeping and ruthless concentration of power, seeking to reshape the state according to the principles of his own private vision. A new constitution introducing a vast series of laws and decrees -- including radical changes in the judicial and electoral system as well as the dismantling of constitutional safeguards protecting the autonomy of the executive branch and the media -- seem destined to ensure the long-term hegemony of the far right. In addition, a campaign of vitriolic nationalist rhetoric and the likelihood of granting new voting rights to two and a half million ethnic Hungarians living in Romania, Slovakia, and Serbia have increased tensions in this volatile corner of Europe. Paul Lendvai provides an unsparing look at these developments, grounding his study in intimate knowledge of Hungary's major political figures and political culture. Lendvai also makes use of his unique insight into the aftermath of the fall of communism, which not only changed Hungary but also produced new political and social tensions in the Danube basin.

Genres: Hungary, Politics, History

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Paul Lendvai is a Hungarian-born Austrian journalist who worked as a correspondent for the Financial Times for more than two decades. He is the author of Hungary: Between Democracy and Authoritarianism; Inside Austria: New Challenges, Old Demons; and Blacklisted: A Journalist's Life in Central Europe.

Reviews

[Koen Maegherman]

Paul Lendvai shows an objective picture of Hungarian politics and describes how the different governments struggled with getting Hungary on track amidst a complex sociological reality (Trianon trauma, anti semitism, minorities, ...). It is much more than a pamphlet against the current situation: although he is sharp in his analysis of the last 2 years he is also critical for the previous governments! A mind opening book for everyone who is interested or involved in Hungary

[Rhuff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The legions of the Hungarian cultural diaspora have no better Western representative than Paul Lendvai. This is both praise and caution in assessing this critique of his native land. The hope of 1989 - multi-party democracy, free markets, liberal values, Western integration - seem to have drizzled down the drain in the intervening quarter century. Yet one question Lendvai seems not to stress is who, exactly, really wanted these things in Hungary? Very few, it seemed, beyond a minority of Western-oriented intellectuals.

Thus it comes as no real surprise that the Freedom Fighter legacy has been swallowed by the semi-fascism of the pre-war years. The rise of the Jobbik party, and its paramilitary Hungarian Guard, show that what was rolled back was not the Iron Curtain of '56 but the victory over the Axis in '44. Lendvai's descriptions of rightwing thuggery, aided and abetted by complacent mainstream nationalists and the churches, seem to retroactively justify the Soviet occupation as a "progressive force" after all.

Yet in taking his country to task for allowing the rise of Viktor Orban as the new Horthy, Lendvai seems blinkered as to its causes. He gives due credit to the bankrupting currency-chasing of the Socialist/Liberal years for laying the groundwork. But in praising the austerity program of 2009-2010, in the face of the financial meltdown, Lendvai glowingly quotes on p. 204 "the Hungarians' particular maturity and ability to act rationally," implementing budget cuts without "a single" strike or mass demonstration. Western observers noted with sage nods that "Greece could learn from Hungary."

What erupted instead was a standoff between Orban's Fidesz Party, and the IMF and the European Central Bank. Orban is the villain, of course, for demanding an end to austerity, increasing welfare and pensions, and raising the deficit. On p. 227 Lendvai admits that the critique of Hungary, led by Hillary Clinton, has less to do with its "slide to authoritarianism"; and more to do with "the discriminatory measures taken against foreign banks and investors coupled with an unprecedented smear campaign against the head of the Hungarian central bank."

Like most Westernizers Lendvai has tied the fate of liberal values, and justice for persecuted minorities like the Roma, with "the path of growth" for bankers and Western investors. He thus leaves most of his former countrymen out of a viable future. Yet he is so nonplussed at the rise of Fidesz and the mass applause for its anti-liberal power grabbing. It was the Depression, after all, that produced the rise of fascism in 1930s Europe. This is one "demon of the past" (p. 323) with its "chimera political system" that *cannot* be forgotten in the "national interest" if Hungary is to "come to terms with the bitter lessons of history." Unfortunately, Lendvai seems here to be avoiding some of said lessons himself.

[Rowynn Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

For thesis research

[Andre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author brings to bear both his access to Hungary's political leaders as well as his strong perspectives and insights to press t a fascinating overview of the changing patterns in recent Hungarian governance.