Appealing Ideologies across time and regimes in Hungary

Description

The authoritarian regimes of our time are often characterized as opportunistic and ideologically inconsistent in political science literature. The Orbán regime in Hungary, which has maintained a supermajority for 14 years, is frequently framed in similar terms. However, recent studies reveal that this regime is not only opportunistic but also attached to discernible and consistently followed ideologies. These ideologies are not merely based on fear, rejection, or opposition to the liberal democratic order; they also offer appealing, even positive proposals to the electorate. Understanding these appealing elements is crucial for challenging the regime effectively and for helping other Central and Eastern European countries to build democratic resilience against authoritarian forces. The main argument is that the core ideologies of the Orbán regime—including conservatism, identity politics based on the exploitation of Christian elements, and nationalism rooted in nativism and exceptionalism—are not novel creations. Rather, they draw on ideological traditions from Hungary's 20th-century hybrid regimes and dictatorships. Through historiographic analysis of documents from that period, along with secondary literature, this research reconstructs these ideologies and trace their continuity into the present. The study argues that the Orbán regime's strategic adaptation of these ideological traditions has made them attractive to the electorate. By revealing how these ideologies resonate with voters and contribute to the regime's longevity, the research offers valuable insights for understanding authoritarian durability in Hungary. Furthermore, it suggests that recognizing the underlying ideological appeals of the Orbán regime could be key to fostering re-democratization in Hungary and enhancing democratic resilience across the CEE region.

Period	29 Nov 2024
Event title	10th ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE AUSTRIAN POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
Event type	Conference
Location	AustriaShow on map