This would prove that consolidating power does not protect authoritarians from self-destructing, especially when a smart opposition exploits their vulnerabilities
There was a fact checking article on Vance’s claims in Budapest in today’s Guardian. As usual, he lied about the EU being the enemy of the Hungarian people and unashamedly nailed his, and by association America’s colours to Orban’s mast. A victory by the opposition and the deposing of Orban would be a delicious win for those opposing autocratic fascist governments like Hungary’s and the US’.
My grandmother was born in Hungary but came to America when she was very young. She still has family in Hungary who have to live under Orban and his corrupt regime. We are both hoping for a strong Tisza victory this sunday. What makes the stakes of this election especially important is the fact that the Trump administration and the greater postliberal right movement have seen Hungary as the model for how to successfully transition a western liberal democracy into a postliberal autocracy. This is why Tisza needs to win as many seats as possible and ideally a 2/3 majority (which is possible according to a recent Median poll).
Excellent work. Thank you! We in the US who are sickened by what’s happening here are holding our breath for Hungary’s election on Sunday. May the opposition prevail!
The whole of Europe is holding its breath and a majority of us are hoping Hungarians choose to get rid of Orbán. But frankly, I’ve not much hope for his successor, who is also a nationalist. We must reform the EU voting system and get rid of unanimous voting. Hungary has literally been betraying us to Russia.
For us non Hungarians yes. But for all those with the right to vote in this election, the only weapon that actually matters is the willpower to act. To use their right as they see fit.
Apologies but your comments make no sense. There is no comparison between Trump/Orban and Mamdami. The former are autocratic fascists, the latter a left leaning socialist. The former have the intent of self enrichment and power at any cost, the latter is a rules based democrat. The only similarity is that all of them at some point were popular enough to win the popular vote.
Voting, term limits, and separation of powers, etc, are safeguards. They keep a system in check, but they don’t transform the system. Voting cannot achieve anything as sweeping as dispel the air of invincibility around strongmen. That comes from the ideas a society embraces.
The dominant political ideas today are for government to manage every aspect of our live. This is what creates the demand for strong, centralized authority, whether people admit it or not. Leaders like Orbán, Trump, Mamdani, etc, don’t endure in a vacuum but are filling this demand. And when elections are this close it means that choices aren’t meaningfully different. Magyar isn't going to be that different to Orban or he wouldn't be getting so much of the vote.
In short, politics isn't about voting. It's about politics. Until we have political professionals that understand the subject and advocate for the ideas that actually built the modern world (individual rights, rights-protecting government and capitalism), strongmen will continue to have their invincible appeal.
Our transition to authoritarianism and pre-industrial horror will continue without pause regardless how many elections are held.
This is a good example of my point. The failure to see the connection between Mamdani, Turmp, Orban, etc, is a symptom of the real crisis we're not addressing.
Yes, that's what I'm saying. The inability to understand the moral issues at play is why you fail to connect Mamdani-type of authoritarianism with Trump-type. It's possible that you don't even think Mamdani's ideas are authoritarian.
This is the entire reason for our political crisis.
Apologies but your comments make no sense. There is no comparison between Trump/Orban and Mamdami. The former are autocratic fascists, the latter a left leaning socialist. The former have the intent of self enrichment and power at any cost, the latter is a rules based democrat. The only similarity is that all of them at some point were popular enough to win the popular vote.
And the very last thing we need more of are more “political professionals”. We have seen plenty of those with PPE degrees straight from university into political aides and consultancies, crossing over into elected office without having had any real world experience of life outside politics or a proper job. No thanks.
Yes, so not professionals. Politics is the only field where anyone with random takes can get paid employment. No other profession operates this way and the disastrous results speak for themselves.
Politics needs people who understand the subject and apply it correctly. Just like any other profession. The absence of this is the entire crisis we face today.
Pete. You are such a black and white, totally binary thinker. No shade of grey ever sullies your absolutism. The absence of ‘Professional politicians’ (Lord protect us from that legion of ideologues, fantasists and useless tossers) is the ‘entire’ reason for the mess we’re in? So nothing to do with an ill educated, poorly informed self centred proletariat? If only it were that simple. Oh and what the hell is ‘applying politics correctly’?!
If someone told you 1+1=2, would you accuse them of being, "such a black and white, totally binary thinker. No shade of grey ever sullies your absolutism."
Once again, only in the field of politics do we lose any requirement for even the most basic competence and professional standards.
Who do you think informs the "proletariat?" What other profession blames the customers for the failures of the professionals?
There was a fact checking article on Vance’s claims in Budapest in today’s Guardian. As usual, he lied about the EU being the enemy of the Hungarian people and unashamedly nailed his, and by association America’s colours to Orban’s mast. A victory by the opposition and the deposing of Orban would be a delicious win for those opposing autocratic fascist governments like Hungary’s and the US’.
My grandmother was born in Hungary but came to America when she was very young. She still has family in Hungary who have to live under Orban and his corrupt regime. We are both hoping for a strong Tisza victory this sunday. What makes the stakes of this election especially important is the fact that the Trump administration and the greater postliberal right movement have seen Hungary as the model for how to successfully transition a western liberal democracy into a postliberal autocracy. This is why Tisza needs to win as many seats as possible and ideally a 2/3 majority (which is possible according to a recent Median poll).
Excellent work. Thank you! We in the US who are sickened by what’s happening here are holding our breath for Hungary’s election on Sunday. May the opposition prevail!
The whole of Europe is holding its breath and a majority of us are hoping Hungarians choose to get rid of Orbán. But frankly, I’ve not much hope for his successor, who is also a nationalist. We must reform the EU voting system and get rid of unanimous voting. Hungary has literally been betraying us to Russia.
What the hell is JD Vance visiting Orbán for?? To learn more dictatorship tactics??
The entire Trump regime must go!!
Traitors to Democracy!!
The 25th Now!
Also, Nuremberg Now! Trump, Hegseth War Criminals!!
To openly campaign for Orbán and tell Hungarians to vote for him. Also to chide other Europeans for “election interference” (!)
Hopefully, the trump-vance full court press is actually doing orban harm, Carney-Poilievre style. But that might just be wishful thinking on my part.
Hope and prayers are the most powerful weapons.
I agree with your intent but prayers and hope have never provenly achieved anything. The people just need to get out and vote!
Hope and prayers is all we have in the absence of actual political professionals and experts.
Unfortunately, I don't think you can run a modern, free and prosperous society that way.
For us non Hungarians yes. But for all those with the right to vote in this election, the only weapon that actually matters is the willpower to act. To use their right as they see fit.
Apologies but your comments make no sense. There is no comparison between Trump/Orban and Mamdami. The former are autocratic fascists, the latter a left leaning socialist. The former have the intent of self enrichment and power at any cost, the latter is a rules based democrat. The only similarity is that all of them at some point were popular enough to win the popular vote.
Voting, term limits, and separation of powers, etc, are safeguards. They keep a system in check, but they don’t transform the system. Voting cannot achieve anything as sweeping as dispel the air of invincibility around strongmen. That comes from the ideas a society embraces.
The dominant political ideas today are for government to manage every aspect of our live. This is what creates the demand for strong, centralized authority, whether people admit it or not. Leaders like Orbán, Trump, Mamdani, etc, don’t endure in a vacuum but are filling this demand. And when elections are this close it means that choices aren’t meaningfully different. Magyar isn't going to be that different to Orban or he wouldn't be getting so much of the vote.
In short, politics isn't about voting. It's about politics. Until we have political professionals that understand the subject and advocate for the ideas that actually built the modern world (individual rights, rights-protecting government and capitalism), strongmen will continue to have their invincible appeal.
Our transition to authoritarianism and pre-industrial horror will continue without pause regardless how many elections are held.
Sorry, but to lump Mamdami in with Trump, Orban etc is just plainly ridiculous.
This is a good example of my point. The failure to see the connection between Mamdani, Turmp, Orban, etc, is a symptom of the real crisis we're not addressing.
No, what it shows is a failure to make elementary moral distinctions!
Yes, that's what I'm saying. The inability to understand the moral issues at play is why you fail to connect Mamdani-type of authoritarianism with Trump-type. It's possible that you don't even think Mamdani's ideas are authoritarian.
This is the entire reason for our political crisis.
Apologies but your comments make no sense. There is no comparison between Trump/Orban and Mamdami. The former are autocratic fascists, the latter a left leaning socialist. The former have the intent of self enrichment and power at any cost, the latter is a rules based democrat. The only similarity is that all of them at some point were popular enough to win the popular vote.
So, you don't think a "left leaning socialist" is an authoritarian?
And the very last thing we need more of are more “political professionals”. We have seen plenty of those with PPE degrees straight from university into political aides and consultancies, crossing over into elected office without having had any real world experience of life outside politics or a proper job. No thanks.
Yes, so not professionals. Politics is the only field where anyone with random takes can get paid employment. No other profession operates this way and the disastrous results speak for themselves.
Politics needs people who understand the subject and apply it correctly. Just like any other profession. The absence of this is the entire crisis we face today.
Pete. You are such a black and white, totally binary thinker. No shade of grey ever sullies your absolutism. The absence of ‘Professional politicians’ (Lord protect us from that legion of ideologues, fantasists and useless tossers) is the ‘entire’ reason for the mess we’re in? So nothing to do with an ill educated, poorly informed self centred proletariat? If only it were that simple. Oh and what the hell is ‘applying politics correctly’?!
If someone told you 1+1=2, would you accuse them of being, "such a black and white, totally binary thinker. No shade of grey ever sullies your absolutism."
Once again, only in the field of politics do we lose any requirement for even the most basic competence and professional standards.
Who do you think informs the "proletariat?" What other profession blames the customers for the failures of the professionals?
Mamdani!? What in the hell?