The Allure of Authority: The Example of Hungary (Origins) #1

This Authoritarian Life

What drives ordinary people to espouse authoritarian figures? Join us, Kristóf Szombati and Erdem Evren, as we unravel this question through our personal journeys and anthropological studies in Hungary and Turkey. We kick off our new podcast by dissecting the spatial origins of right-wing authoritarianism, focusing on rural Hungary from 2006 onwards.
The countryside has often been seen as a space where politics flows to, but does not grow out of. When it comes to the authoritarian right, this could not be further from the truth. Kristóf shares his eye-opening experiences with the Hungarian Guard, a far-right paramilitary group that grew in influence by exploiting local grievances and the perceived void left by the state.
We also explore the socio-economic turbulence that came with Hungary's EU accession and how it reshaped rural communities in wine-making regions. We discuss the struggles these communities faced, from battling subsidized European goods to feeling overlooked by left-liberal elites. Delve into the tensions that erupted in a wine-making village in the period of the Great Recession, with acts of grape theft and paramilitary marches painting a vivid picture of life under authoritarian influence.
The rise of the far-right Jobbik party, fueled by resentment towards Roma communities and a promise to restore order in the countryside, is pivotal to understanding this shift. But of perhaps even greater importance is how Viktor Orbán's Fidesz managed to co-opt Jobbik’s platform, presenting a more palatable vision focused on the traditional work ethic and the creation of new jobs. Our discussion also covers how Fidesz's policies and new far-right formations continue to shape Hungary's political landscape.
Special thanks to our collaborators at the International Research Group on Authoritarianism and Counter-Strategies (IRGAC) and for the indispensable support from the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. Tune in for a gripping exploration of the human stories that define authoritarian politics.

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More on our partner IRGAC here: https://irgac.org/

Luvut

1. Episode Teaser & Jingle (00:00:00)

2. Introduction to the Show & the Hosts (00:00:52)

3. The Beginnings: Paramilitarism and the 'Roma issue' (00:05:55)

4. The Background: Economic and Social Crisis (00:14:34)

5. Rise of the Far-Right: Jobbik & Fidesz (00:18:55)

6. The Orbán Regime's Answer to Racist Violence (00:30:20)

7. A Broader Reflection on Rural Dynamics and Authoritarian Politics (00:38:27)

8. Acknowledgements (00:45:47)