This is the first In-Depth post, a new series of long-form “informed reflection on the events of the day.” I introduce the piece on this page. Click here to read Andras Bozoki’s In-Depth Analysis. -Jeff
The decline and fall of the Soviet Empire, with the consolidation of a democratic aftermath in much of East and Central Europe, is one of the great positive historical developments of the recent past. But it is not a Hollywood movie. The people from “the other Europe” are not simply living happily ever after. Alongside of democracy, they have experienced great suffering, especially in the former Yugoslavia. And, in some places, democratic aspirations have been systematically frustrated. The prime example is in the old imperial center, Putin’s Russia (though when we look closely there are democratic developments there). Democracy has been constituted and challenged, partially instituted, promised but not delivered. It’s proven to be a messy unending struggle.
Yesterday, we saw how this looks in Romania. Today we take a close look at the complexities of political struggle in Hungary. It is an unusual case.
At first Hungary seemed to be a prime example of successful democratic consolidation, a case study of a successful transition from dictatorship to democracy. But more recently, there is a real danger that things are flowing in the opposite direction, as Andras Bozoki reported in his post last year. Many have noticed, including contributors to Deliberately Considered. Leading former democratic activists, the most prominent dissidents, have protested. People in the immediate region and in broader Europe have expressed concern trying to understand what is happening.
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