Civil Movements in an Illiberal Regime

Political Activism in Hungary

Dániel Mikecz

• Publisher: Central European University Press
• Year: 2023
• Print ISBN: 9789633866221
• eBook ISBN: 9789633866238
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Communism, Post-Communism & Socialism
• Index: Politics & International Relations

Dániel Mikecz addresses in this study the tensions between oppositional civil society and party-political actors. As successive elections demonstrate the increasing confidence of the illiberal regime of Viktor Orbán, left and liberal parties of the opposition have faced a prolonged crisis in credibility. At the same time, the civil society has not been immobile, and bottom-up initiatives, social and political movements, and non-governmental organizations have gained momentum in the public sphere. The ruling power is also active in the extra-parliamentary political arena. Through national consultations, Peace Marches, and other means, Orbán's governing Fidesz party has mobilized voters outside of election campaigns and has implemented a so-called movement governance. The study offers a vivid examination of this top-down or astroturf mobilization of the regime.

Mikecz identifies the different patterns of activism and creates a coherent typology. He describes in detail each kind of activism based on opinion surveys, protest surveys and content analysis. The categorization and comprehensive exploration of civil movements provide a deep understanding of the mechanisms of illiberal postcommunist regimes.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Front matter
• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• Chapter 1 Introduction
• Chapter 2 The Context of Activism: Civil Society and Political Participation in Hungary
• Chapter 3 Protest and Politics after the Illiberal Turn
• Chapter 4 Patterns of Activism in Hungary
• Chapter 5 Conclusions
• Bibliography
• Appendix
• Index
• Back cover