Democracy

Despite the presence of migration in the discourse of politicians, media and the general public in recent years, there is a persistent lack of facts about the life situations and motivations of newcomers to Europe. With this book the the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Institute for Public Affairs aim to contribute to a fact-based debate on the politics and policies of migration in Central Europe. 

Check the new think piece by social scientist Petr Lebeda. It is asking two questions: why has there been so strong an onset to this “populist backlash” against solidarity, equality, civil and minority rights, environmental responsibility and various forms of pluralism so fast and across so many countries and what might the NGOs advocating progressive policies do to address its deeper causes in the longer term?

The interpretation of the Hungarian “illiberal state,” in terms of political philosophy and political science outlines a set-up in which even though the constitutional institutions typical of democracies still formally exist, they however no longer function—even while occasionally adopting decisions that comply with constitutionality—as intended at the system level: Instead of serving as true checks on how the government wields power, they function as institutions stabilising the autocratic workings of the state. This paper aims to examine one of the crucial features of how “illiberal states” operate, namely populist and inflammatory government communication that seeks to make public debate hegemonistic and the closely related government actions intended to silence critical opinions, together with the legal instruments available to counter these things.

Milyen messze terjed Budapest befolyása? Hogyan hatott a „menekültválság" a regionális együttműködésre? E tanulmány fontos háttérinformációkkal, tényekkel és adatokkal ismerteti meg az olvasót a „menekültválság” elmúlt három évéről, és annak társadalmi, politikai, szakpolitikai és diplomáciai utóhatásairól. Az Orbán-kormány menekültekkel, menedék- és migrációs ügyekkel kapcsolatos retorikáját és szakpolitikai lépéseit elemzi, de be is mutatja azok regionális kontextusát.

This study aims to lay the foundations of a collaboration that can be joined by other organisations still being formed, as well as by actors sharing human rights values who can reach out to additional potential supporters. This text is designed to be continuously expanded in the future, so as to further incorporate increasingly sensitive analyses along with a growing pool of creative ideas and recommendations.

How far does Budapest's influence extend? How has the "refugee crisis" affected regional cooperation? This study gives background information, facts and data on the last three years of the “refugee crisis”: its social, political, policy and diplomatic repercussions. An analysis of the Orbán government’s rhetoric and policy measures with regard to refugee, asylum and migration issues, highlighting the regional context.

How does good governing work? How does government participation change the decision-making processes and the political objectives of a party? The study by Arne Jungjohann analyzes Green government participation of previous years and arrives at interesting conclusions.

8 short stories based on equitable urban planning in everyday life.

The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung commissioned a study by Political Capital entitled “Focus on Hungary: Refugees, Asylum and Migration”. The authors of the study analyse the Orbán Government’s rhetoric and policy measures with regard to refugee, asylum and migration issues. 

The annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the launch of a hybrid war against Ukraine was Russia’s answer to the revolution triggered by Euromaidan. The conflict continues to pose fundamental challenges for the European Union, and raises the question of whether the EU will maintain its commitment to the political and economic consolidation of those of its Eastern neighbours which aim to make sovereign choices based on the rule of law and democracy.