Author Description
A No-holds-barred Biography Of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Who Has Become A Pivotal Figure In European Politics Since 2010, This Is The First English- Language Study Of The Erstwhile Anti-communist Rebel Turned Populist Autocrat. Through A Masterly And Cynical Manipulation Of Ethnic Nationalism, Generating Fear Of Migrants And Deep-rooted Corruption, Orbán Has Exploited Successive Electoral Victories To Build A Closely Knit And Super-rich Oligarchy. He Holds Unfettered Power In Hungary And Is Regarded As The Single Most Powerful Leader Within The European Union. Orbán's Ambitions Are Far-reaching. Hailed By Governments And Far-right Politicians As A Symbol Of A New Anti-brussels Nationalism, His Ruthless Crackdown On Refugees, His Open Break With Normative Values And His Undisguised Admiration For Presidents Putin And Trump Mean He Poses A Formidable Challenge To Angela Merkel And The Survival Of Liberal Democracy In A Divided Europe. Drawing On Access To Exclusive Documents And Numerous Interviews, Celebrated Veteran Journalist Paul Lendvai Paints A Compelling Portrait Of The Most Successful And, Arguably, Most Dangerous Politician In Hungarian History.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates how Viktor Orbán transformed from an anti-communist activist into a populist autocrat who challenges the foundations of liberal democracy within the European Union. Paul Lendvai, a veteran journalist with extensive experience covering Central and Eastern Europe, utilizes exclusive documents and numerous interviews to construct this analysis. The book argues that Orbán’s consolidation of power relies on the strategic manipulation of ethnic nationalism, the cultivation of a loyal oligarchy, and a calculated rejection of normative European values.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- An analysis of Hungarian political history from the fall of communism to the present day.
- A detailed examination of Orbán’s methods for maintaining electoral success and consolidating state power.
- Insight into the geopolitical implications of Orbán’s alliances and his stance against European Union policies.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on the political mechanisms and public career of Orbán rather than an exhaustive psychological profile.
- It does not provide a comprehensive history of Hungarian social movements outside of their direct relationship to Orbán’s administration.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts and political analysts frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the rise of illiberalism in modern Europe. Readers often note the dense, journalistic rigor of the prose, which provides a clear-eyed look at the complexities of contemporary Hungarian governance.
Page Count:
283
Publication Date:
2018-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190911271
ISBN-13:
9780190911270
Biography
European History
Hungary
Contemporary Politics
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