Civil Movements in an Illiberal Regime : : Political Activism in Hungary / / Dániel Mikecz.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter Central European University Press eBook-Package 2023
• VerfasserIn: Mikecz, Dániel,
• Place / Publishing House: Budapest ;, New York : : Central European University Press, , [2023]; ©2023
• Year of Publication: 2023
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (238 p.)

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

Frontmatter -- Contents -- List of Tables -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Context of Activism: Civil Society and Political Participation in Hungary -- 3 Protest and Politics after the Illiberal Turn -- 4 Patterns of Activism in Hungary -- 5 Conclusions -- Bibliography -- Appendix -- Index