Political and social transformation of East Central Europe (1989-) (IREb2030; November 6th – November 10^th, 2023)

LECTURER

András Schweitzer Ph. D., Associate professor at the Department of International Relations and European Studies (Inst. of Political and International Studies), Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), Budapest, schweitzer.andras@tatk.elte.hu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In 1989 Hungary was a forerunner in East Central Europe in establishing a liberal democracy with market economy and Western oriented foreign policy. However, by now the country’s political system has slid back to a hybrid regime, headed by an ex-radical-liberal politician who frequently mocks principles of open society, and is supporting a local and international fight against Western liberalism.

The course will analyze possible causes for the direction of the changes beyond the generally quoted factors (e.g. populism, identity politics, the effect of social media, etc.). To highlight further aspects, political, social, economic developments in Hungary will be compared with other East-Central European cases, especially with those of other Visegrad countries. A wide array of circumstances of the transformation, including the new constitutional structure, the methods of privatization and the introduction of economic liberalism, political-cultural dispositions and heritage, party system and electoral behavior will be analyzed in a comparative way.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students are to get acquainted with major developments during the complex transformation process that took place in the past decades since 1989 in Hungary and the wider region of East Central Europe. The related events and processes will be analyzed through a varied set of writings which are often comparative and belong to varied academic fields like economy, historiography, political science, etc. Analyzing conflicting narratives of the subject matter students will be able to recognize underlying assumptions and values, and altogether get a refined and multidimensional perspective.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to prepare for classes by reading the relevant assigned texts, to attend classes, and actively participate with questions and comments to make the classes more interactive, lively, instructive and fun.

EVALUATION

Grades will be based on a written exam at the end of the course, but extra credit can be earned by active participation: insightful comments based on the assigned literature. The exam will consist of five mini-essay questions about the subjects discussed during classes (and related to the mandatory texts). To each question an answer of a few sentences is required for a maximum of 2 points. Altogether 10 point can be earned.

GRADING 

Ø  9 -10 = A

Ø  8 or 8,5 = B

Ø  7 or 7,5 = C

Ø  6 or 6,5 = D

Ø  5 or 5,5 = E

Ø  Less than 5 = F