Liberalization Challenges in Hungary: Elitism, Progressivism, and Populism

This book contends that liberalization is troubled in new Europe. It investigates Hungary to depict the disaggregate nature of liberalization due to elitism and the prioritization of economic liberalization. Despite the favorable historical circumstances in Hungary, there was no consensus on the virtues of liberalism after 1989. The proponents of liberalism disengaged the public, lost credibility, and failed to convince the public of the advantages of progressive politics and Europeanization. In reaction, conservative populist politics disparages the achievements of both liberalization and Europeanization. Finally, the global economic crisis demonstrates the demise of economic liberalization and puts political liberalization in peril.