Democratic Decline in Hungary

<p>This book shows the rise and morphology of a self-identified `illiberal democracy’ the first 21st century illiberal political regime arising in the European Union. Since 2010 Viktor Orbán’s governments in Hungary have convincingly offered an anti-modernist and anti-cosmopolitan/anti-European Unionist rhetoric discourse and constitutional identity to challenge neo-liberal democracy. The Hungarian case provides unique observation points for students of transitology especially those who are interested in states which are to abandon pathways of liberal democracy.</p><p>The author demonstrates how illiberalism is present both in `how’ and `what’ is being done: the style format and procedure of legislation; as well as the substance: the dismantling of institutional rule of law guarantees and the weakening of checks and balances. The book also discusses the ideological commitments and constitutionally framed and cemented value preferences and a reconstituted and re-conceptualized relationship between the state and its citizens which is not evidently supported by Hungarians’ value system and life-style choices.</p>