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Poland or Coalland?
Dark, smoggy, poisonous … Yes, welcome to many parts of Poland. This is the only EU country whose economy actually grew during the recent recession. But there is a pricetag to be paid for this and that pricetag is the health of the Polish people. Never mind can growth and […]
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Opening to the East? Hungary moves to face the challenges of free trade
The European Union as a whole promotes free trade but its Member States try to protect their national economies from its challenges, especially when it comes to agricultural products. Eastern members, such as Hungary, are in a disadvantageous position within the EU primarily because of the lower subsidies they receive […]
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The rise of the far-right – The real winners of globalization?
Disillusionment with an increasingly interconnected global economic and political system has pushed many Hungarians to support the political far-right in recent years. As such, the rise of the far-right in Hungary and Central Europe as a whole can be fitted into a broader European context. However, if outsiders want to […]
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Slovakia: Thinking local to avoid global
Strategic lessons about how globalization works are part of the daily entertainment program in many Slovak pubs. If you don’t have the chance to visit them personally – although, trust me, Slovak beer is really nice – here is short taster. “Original plans” Listen in to any round of regulars […]
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Capitalism in Hungary – The failed promise of inclusive growth
More than 20 years after the fall of the communist regime, much of Hungarian society is highly disillusioned with capitalism which once held out such a glowing promise of prosperity for all. The transition from a planned economy to Western style globalised free markets has brought some winners but they […]