The difference between Hungary and other dictatorships is that Orban had a legitimate democratic past. Maybe he remembered that when he was solidly defeated.
Thank you for acknowledging that Orban's ouster was a good day for democracy. I was beginning to wonder where you argument was headed. Let me, if you will, add something about this victory that you did not mention and which I believe is relevant for not only Hungary; not only other authoritarian regimes, and not least the United States: the turnout of young voters. This referendum was as much about generational change and the quest of young voters to support political leaders who they believe embody their values and future well-being. It was a referendum against a generation that views politics as a means to their self-enrichment. The veil has been lifted, and I suspect young voters elsewhere will seek to disenfranchise political leaders with the same objectives.
“This means that Magyar faces two equally unappetizing choices.” This is false equivalence. They’re not even close to being equal. Elections have consequences. You can’t tolerate the intolerant. He should fire them all.
“This means that Magyar faces two equally unappetizing choices. He can choose to play completely by existing rules; but if he does, he is leaving many of Orbán’s corrupt appointees in key positions in the administration and the state media, making his work all but impossible. Or he can fire anybody who appears more loyal to Orbán than to the constitution; but if he does, he will effectively normalize the idea that each new prime minister simply fires anybody appointed by their predecessor. The difficulty of navigating the post-populist dilemma is one reason why even a big setback for demagogues doesn’t always spell the end of their political career.”
Great analysis and journalism Yascha—brilliant, and I 100% agree. And the reason they (fascists and depraved kleptocrats) often win; they play by a different set of rules, and even if they are forced to pay a price—it’s minuscule.
That said, while this is also great news for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and for democracy everywhere—it is only a good start!
Additionally, America still faces pretty much the same quagmire in displacing Trump and MAGA as Magyar will have trying to govern Hungary, as well as the quagmire Magyar will have to endure; after he actually assumes the reins of power—possibly worse!
Therefore, let’s follow whatever transpires closely in Hungary—study it and use it as a critical learning opportunity; unfortunately for Hungary, they’re the guinea pigs, and we need to learn from their mistakes so we make as few as our own as possible!
Moreover, Heritage, Trump and the financial and the economic Svengali’s all have loyalists positioned throughout each institution while having their hands on the levers of power; therefore, displacing them won’t be easy, or possibly even legal!
Remember, it took Orban a decade to achieve the destruction to Hungary that Trump and MAGA have managed to accomplish in less than a year—and that was just the appetizer; they still haven’t started on the main course.
Lastly, while Magyar may face a dilemma as to whether to fire the loyalists or not; at least he has a choice—America may not! And even should we be able to unseat MAGA from the oval, MAGA has what it to took Orban a decade to secure: Wait for it….wait for it…..wait for it ….A COMPLIANT SUPREME COURT!!!!
Bottom line, Orban had to take over parliament before he could stack the court with corrupt lackey’s; our SCOTUS helped keep Trump out of jail before Trump ever assumed power! They even slow-rolled two major criminal cases that could have put Trump away for decades.
Not to mention, they even gave carved out an illegal immunity clause in the constitution just to help get Trump re-ELECTED—which helps destroyed rule of law and every venerated institution!
These people—SCOTUS are worse than Trump; they had the power to stop him, which tells everything they need to know about the six conservative justices; they are just as corrupt—and just as complicit as everyone who helped Trump achieve its destructive, sinister and depraved goals and agendas!
IMHO—sorry for the rambling!…:)
For all we know—should MAGA look like they’re going to lose the house and senate; SCOTUS could finally rule on all the cases they punted on which allowed Trump to dismantle all of our agencies including the firing of federal employees without cause.
Furthermore, should SCOTUS rule in Trump’s favor in this case and a few other key cases like DOGE—access to Treasury and DHS databases; as well as third party vendors access to our most sensitive government information, then every else becomes a moot point! IMHO…:)
The difference between Hungary and other dictatorships is that Orban had a legitimate democratic past. Maybe he remembered that when he was solidly defeated.
Thank you for acknowledging that Orban's ouster was a good day for democracy. I was beginning to wonder where you argument was headed. Let me, if you will, add something about this victory that you did not mention and which I believe is relevant for not only Hungary; not only other authoritarian regimes, and not least the United States: the turnout of young voters. This referendum was as much about generational change and the quest of young voters to support political leaders who they believe embody their values and future well-being. It was a referendum against a generation that views politics as a means to their self-enrichment. The veil has been lifted, and I suspect young voters elsewhere will seek to disenfranchise political leaders with the same objectives.
thank you for your
highly insightful ideas
I did not think
of that vital dimension
of this victory!
Elections have consequences and the desire for "free stuff" is deadly to a democracy.
Thank you greatly for your
highly enlightening analysis
“This means that Magyar faces two equally unappetizing choices.” This is false equivalence. They’re not even close to being equal. Elections have consequences. You can’t tolerate the intolerant. He should fire them all.
“This means that Magyar faces two equally unappetizing choices. He can choose to play completely by existing rules; but if he does, he is leaving many of Orbán’s corrupt appointees in key positions in the administration and the state media, making his work all but impossible. Or he can fire anybody who appears more loyal to Orbán than to the constitution; but if he does, he will effectively normalize the idea that each new prime minister simply fires anybody appointed by their predecessor. The difficulty of navigating the post-populist dilemma is one reason why even a big setback for demagogues doesn’t always spell the end of their political career.”
Great analysis and journalism Yascha—brilliant, and I 100% agree. And the reason they (fascists and depraved kleptocrats) often win; they play by a different set of rules, and even if they are forced to pay a price—it’s minuscule.
That said, while this is also great news for Hungary, Ukraine, Europe and for democracy everywhere—it is only a good start!
Additionally, America still faces pretty much the same quagmire in displacing Trump and MAGA as Magyar will have trying to govern Hungary, as well as the quagmire Magyar will have to endure; after he actually assumes the reins of power—possibly worse!
Therefore, let’s follow whatever transpires closely in Hungary—study it and use it as a critical learning opportunity; unfortunately for Hungary, they’re the guinea pigs, and we need to learn from their mistakes so we make as few as our own as possible!
Moreover, Heritage, Trump and the financial and the economic Svengali’s all have loyalists positioned throughout each institution while having their hands on the levers of power; therefore, displacing them won’t be easy, or possibly even legal!
Remember, it took Orban a decade to achieve the destruction to Hungary that Trump and MAGA have managed to accomplish in less than a year—and that was just the appetizer; they still haven’t started on the main course.
Lastly, while Magyar may face a dilemma as to whether to fire the loyalists or not; at least he has a choice—America may not! And even should we be able to unseat MAGA from the oval, MAGA has what it to took Orban a decade to secure: Wait for it….wait for it…..wait for it ….A COMPLIANT SUPREME COURT!!!!
Bottom line, Orban had to take over parliament before he could stack the court with corrupt lackey’s; our SCOTUS helped keep Trump out of jail before Trump ever assumed power! They even slow-rolled two major criminal cases that could have put Trump away for decades.
Not to mention, they even gave carved out an illegal immunity clause in the constitution just to help get Trump re-ELECTED—which helps destroyed rule of law and every venerated institution!
These people—SCOTUS are worse than Trump; they had the power to stop him, which tells everything they need to know about the six conservative justices; they are just as corrupt—and just as complicit as everyone who helped Trump achieve its destructive, sinister and depraved goals and agendas!
IMHO—sorry for the rambling!…:)
For all we know—should MAGA look like they’re going to lose the house and senate; SCOTUS could finally rule on all the cases they punted on which allowed Trump to dismantle all of our agencies including the firing of federal employees without cause.
Furthermore, should SCOTUS rule in Trump’s favor in this case and a few other key cases like DOGE—access to Treasury and DHS databases; as well as third party vendors access to our most sensitive government information, then every else becomes a moot point! IMHO…:)
Good to see democracy still works.