Political scientists and would be autocrats like DJT are fascinated by the success of Viktor Orbán in Hungary. He has been prime minister since 2010 and serves as a model of an anti-democratic regime that can maintain power while holding what look like elections. My understanding is that this is the new normal in places like Brazil, Turkey and India, as well. Orbán dismantled checks and balances, rigged the electoral process and has succeeded in controlling the universities and the media. The simple fact of holding elections no longer guarantees democracy when there is no freedom of speech.
That is so strange. My relatives in Czechia report something quite different. Many are envious of Hungary's... what they describe as a country that still works well amids all the chaos engulfing much of Europe. And they complain bitterly about the autocrats in Brussels who have even destroyed beloved old foods by their crazy demands. (regulations)
And they say that Budapest is more beautiful than ever, with the influx of western Europeans fleeing east, fixing up the lovely old houses along the Danube... eh, whom do you believe?
Erin...I do not have relatives in Hungary any more and I am not an expert but my sense is that the disruptions all over the world caused by climate change and the resulting migrations, the emergence of pressure on the right and on the left have created an opening for autocratic regimes including the one undermining democratic norms in our own country. A free press is key. Academic freedom is key. A functioning justice system is key. Without those institutions (which they do not have in Hungary) there is no democracy. There may still be beautiful houses along the Danube but they are being bought up, as you report, by western Europeans with money. What does that do for the average Hungarian who is denied due process in a court system that is rigged?
Yeah, the world is a mess. The more chaos, the more people long for a strongman...
I cannot speak for the average Hungarian at all. I have no relatives or friends there, never did have. When I try to find out what is happening in a country, I look for bloggers in English... but never tried it for Hungary.
I have followed politics in Czechia, and to some extent in western Europe. And my own sense (I could be wrong) is that the worst situation is in Britain... they are arresting people there for expressing the wrong opinion on the interwebs, been arresting over and over some lady who silently prays across the street from an abortion clinic... Germany isn't much better. They are trying to outlaw the second most populat party there...
But mostly, I can only testify for Czechia, since I speak the language, follow the politics longterm, and know details directly. While the search tells me that two people were arrested in Hungary for "wrong opinion" they were both let go (it was during covid). Wheras in Czechia there are several men (maybe 4?) who are actually serving several years in prison for wrong opinion. More often, people are fired for those opinions, and cannot find new jobs.
My sense of the whole mess is that EU is the real culprit here, and they have been heaping manure on Orban for daring to disagree with them on some issues. The truth is, Europe never did have solid pro-free-speech laws as America has.
What's with the hit on Hungary all of a sudden?
My paternal grandparents were from Budapest so I'm particularly sensitive to the failure of democracy there.
Oh wow. Wonderful roots you have. :-) Mine are in neighboring Czechia.
But I have not heard that democracy failed in Hungary. Can you tell more?
Political scientists and would be autocrats like DJT are fascinated by the success of Viktor Orbán in Hungary. He has been prime minister since 2010 and serves as a model of an anti-democratic regime that can maintain power while holding what look like elections. My understanding is that this is the new normal in places like Brazil, Turkey and India, as well. Orbán dismantled checks and balances, rigged the electoral process and has succeeded in controlling the universities and the media. The simple fact of holding elections no longer guarantees democracy when there is no freedom of speech.
That is so strange. My relatives in Czechia report something quite different. Many are envious of Hungary's... what they describe as a country that still works well amids all the chaos engulfing much of Europe. And they complain bitterly about the autocrats in Brussels who have even destroyed beloved old foods by their crazy demands. (regulations)
And they say that Budapest is more beautiful than ever, with the influx of western Europeans fleeing east, fixing up the lovely old houses along the Danube... eh, whom do you believe?
Do you still have family there?
Erin...I do not have relatives in Hungary any more and I am not an expert but my sense is that the disruptions all over the world caused by climate change and the resulting migrations, the emergence of pressure on the right and on the left have created an opening for autocratic regimes including the one undermining democratic norms in our own country. A free press is key. Academic freedom is key. A functioning justice system is key. Without those institutions (which they do not have in Hungary) there is no democracy. There may still be beautiful houses along the Danube but they are being bought up, as you report, by western Europeans with money. What does that do for the average Hungarian who is denied due process in a court system that is rigged?
Yeah, the world is a mess. The more chaos, the more people long for a strongman...
I cannot speak for the average Hungarian at all. I have no relatives or friends there, never did have. When I try to find out what is happening in a country, I look for bloggers in English... but never tried it for Hungary.
I have followed politics in Czechia, and to some extent in western Europe. And my own sense (I could be wrong) is that the worst situation is in Britain... they are arresting people there for expressing the wrong opinion on the interwebs, been arresting over and over some lady who silently prays across the street from an abortion clinic... Germany isn't much better. They are trying to outlaw the second most populat party there...
But mostly, I can only testify for Czechia, since I speak the language, follow the politics longterm, and know details directly. While the search tells me that two people were arrested in Hungary for "wrong opinion" they were both let go (it was during covid). Wheras in Czechia there are several men (maybe 4?) who are actually serving several years in prison for wrong opinion. More often, people are fired for those opinions, and cannot find new jobs.
My sense of the whole mess is that EU is the real culprit here, and they have been heaping manure on Orban for daring to disagree with them on some issues. The truth is, Europe never did have solid pro-free-speech laws as America has.
Beautiful piece my dear. Brava
Thank you very much for reading what I have to say and helping me stay engaged with my writing.