On Civil Society and the Social Economy in Hungary

Authors

  • Júlia Szalai Hungarian Academy of Sciences; Central European University
  • Sara Svensson Central European University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v4i4.471
Abstract Views: 653 PDF Downloads: 1099

Abstract

While the development of civil society organisations in Hungary has been impressive in terms of number and diversity, its influence has remained limited on policy-making. Administrative attempts to draw civil society under tight regulation and control have produced a blurring of the boundaries between the civil and the public spheres that, in turn, has impaired the independent voice and criticism of civil society. Therefore, economic acts based on solidarity and originating from civil society do not automatically form or increase a ‘social economy’ but become as contested by and as intermingled with political developments as other acts of civil society. This development also has affected the profile of civil activities: against the earlier impressive weight of anti-poverty, anti-racist and human rights engagements, the ‘non-risky’ activities of sports and leisure services have come to domination. A turn toward declining participation is a warning sign of the decreasing contribution of civil society to everyday democracy.

Author Biography

Júlia Szalai, Hungarian Academy of Sciences; Central European University

While the development of civil society organisations in Hungary has been impressive in terms of number and diversity, its influence has remained limited on policy-making. Administrative attempts to draw civil society under tight regulation and control have produced a blurring of the boundaries between the civil and the public spheres that, in turn, has impaired the independent voice and criticism of civil society. Therefore, economic acts based on solidarity and originating from civil society do not automatically form or increase a ‘social economy’ but become as contested by and as intermingled with political developments as other acts of civil society. This development also has affected the profile of civil activities: against the earlier impressive weight of anti-poverty, anti-racist and human rights engagements, the ‘non-risky’ activities of sports and leisure services have come to domination. A turn toward declining participation is a warning sign of the decreasing contribution of civil society to everyday democracy.

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Published

2019-01-03

How to Cite

[1]
Szalai, J. and Svensson, S. 2019. On Civil Society and the Social Economy in Hungary. Intersections. East European Journal of Society and Politics. 4, 4 (Jan. 2019). DOI:https://doi.org/10.17356/ieejsp.v4i4.471.