The article responds to the Secrets of Transformation multimedia series, a joint project of Bertelsmann Transformation Index and Deutsche Welle.  When Montesquieu postulated the theory of separation of powers, he was most probably guided by the belief that “If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary”.[1] But […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

High unemployment and low living standards are forcing women in Northern Hungary to go West and seek work in the sex industry. Where do they come from? The current overall unemployment rate in Hungary stands at 10.3% but there are big regional differences. Unemployment in northern Hungary is 13.3% which […]