State of Democracy in Hungary

At the eve of 2010 parliamentary elections in Hungary, surveys show the Hungarians disappointment with the state of democracy in their country. Hungarians were among the earliest and most enthusiast to endorse the shift from communism to free market economy and democracy. Twenty years down the line today their perceptions of both the free market economy and democracy the way they experienced it are dismal.
Among the Central and East European countries they are the most dissatisfied nation with democratic institutions and practice. Similarly in a comparative perspective they have the most disappointing image of free market economy today for which they were very enthusiastic two decades ago. They feel they are worse off today than they were under communism. Does it mean that they are rejecting democracy and free market economy?


Hungarians still highly admire the basic principles of democracy. They believe it is very imperative to have multiparty elections, free speech, religious freedom, and civilian control of military in the country. But they do not find such values in their system. These show they have the spirit to support democracy but it is the functioning of democratic institutions in their county that they disapprove. What have been the major problems for Hungarian democracy?

The survey findings bring attention to two significant issues. Ethnic and religious relations within Hungary may be one of the problems that the nation is facing. A high majority of Hungarians (69%) have an unfavorable view of Roma one of a key ethnic minority. Similarly a sizable number of Hungarians (33 percent & 29 percent) have an unfavorable view of Romanians and Jews respectively. This reflects a problem that is quite common in African or Asian democracies. Can Hungarians put together as a nation is a big ask for a democracy which is just about two decades old?


The same survey also discovers that Hungary is no exception in the region facing problems of corruption. Over seven in ten states corruption as the nation’s most malicious problem. I personally feel that corruption might be the real cause of mal functioning of democracy in Hungary. Can we expect Hungary to be a more transparent democracy five years down the line? What should be the preferences of newly elected government so that people’s trust in the political system of the country can be restored?