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CENTRAL EUROPE’S DESCENT INTO AUTOCRACY: ON AUTHORITARIAN POPULISM. CES Open Forum Series 2018-2019, September 4, 2018

Bugarič, Bojan (2019) CENTRAL EUROPE’S DESCENT INTO AUTOCRACY: ON AUTHORITARIAN POPULISM. CES Open Forum Series 2018-2019, September 4, 2018. [Working Paper]

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    Abstract

    The article offers an analysis of the particular type of populism that has evolved in ECE, most notably in Hungary and Poland. The new populism in ECE differs from other populisms because it combines the elements of populism, ethno-nationalism and authoritarianism. Adhering to a similar script, which consists of sustained attacks on rule of law institutions, civil rights and freedoms, the media and electoral rules, both populist governments in a relatively short period of time dismantled almost all the key cornerstones of democracy in Hungary and Poland. The current surge of populism in ECE demonstrates that constitutional democracy is in great danger when its core principles no longer enjoy wide democratic support. Paradoxically, constitutional democracy can play its “counter-majoritarian” role only when a majority of the people believe that it is the only game in town. Ultimately, democratic political parties and social movements with credible political ideas and programs offer the best hope for the survival of constitutional democracy. The role of law and constitutional checks and balances is less of an essential bulwark against democratic backsliding than is traditionally presumed in the legal literature.

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    Item Type: Working Paper
    Subjects for non-EU documents: Countries > Hungary
    Countries > Poland
    EU policies and themes > Policies & related activities > political affairs > democracy/democratic deficit
    Subjects for EU documents: UNSPECIFIED
    EU Series and Periodicals: UNSPECIFIED
    EU Annual Reports: UNSPECIFIED
    Series: Series > Harvard University, Center for European Studies > CES Working Papers/Open Forum
    Depositing User: Phil Wilkin
    Official EU Document: No
    Language: English
    Date Deposited: 06 Feb 2020 10:48
    Number of Pages: 35
    Last Modified: 20 Mar 2020 13:06
    URI: http://aei.pitt.edu/id/eprint/102391

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