Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Post-Communist Way: Negotiating A New National Identity In Hungary, Sarah Fabian

Honors Scholar Theses

The riots of 2006 were the most violent clash between civilians and the state that Hungary witnessed since the 1956 Revolution. Why is Hungary still struggling with political legitimacy and economic structural problems twenty years after the 1989 democratic transition to democracy and free-market economy?

Building on the model of partial reform equilibrium proposed by Joel Hellman, I argue that Hungary’s “negotiated revolution,” ironically failed to negotiate a new national identity and complete the transition, as vested interest groups were successful in blocking needed political, economic and social reforms. The former Communist elite who were still in key government posts …

Economics Prof Shares History And Memories Of Polish Solidarity Movement, Lucjan T. Orlowski Dr.

Lucjan T. Orlowski

Orlowski, who is a former Solidarity member, shared with those gathered how the Solidarność went from being a labor movement to a leading political party that helped transform Poland from communism to a democracy.