The Rise of Populism in Central and Eastern Europe: The gaining power bond between Hungary and Poland in the European Union

Keywords: populism, Euroscepticism, political elites, immigration, European Union (EU), national sovereignty

Abstract

This article is aims to explores the rise of populism in Central and Eastern Europe, with a specific focus on the gaining power bond between Hungary and Poland within the European Union (EU). It examines the factors driving the rise of populism in the region, including economic disparities, historical legacies, and immigration concerns. The article discusses the definition of populism, its characteristics, and its prevalence in contemporary global politics.
The rise of populism in Central and Eastern Europe is analyzed within the context of post-communist transitions, economic challenges, and the refugee crisis. The article highlights the role of populist politicians in promoting anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic views, as well as their criticism of liberal democratic values and EU institutions. It emphasizes the complex interplay between global trends and local factors in fueling the populist surge in the region.
The qualitative comparative analysis applies to investigates the gaining power bond between Hungary and Poland is examined, focusing on the shared opposition to EU policies and the development of a strategic alliance. The article discusses how Hungary's Fidesz party, led by Viktor Orbán, and Poland's Law and Justice party, led by Jaroslaw Kaczynski have challenged EU initiatives and prioritized national sovereignty and conservative social values (Balcer and Vegh, 2022). It highlights the tensions and divisions caused by this bond within the EU, as well as the measures taken by the EU to address concerns regarding democratic norms and the rule of law.
The article concludes by underscoring the significance of the Hungary-Poland bond and its implications for the EU's unity and stability. It emphasizes the need for EU leaders to navigate these challenges, uphold liberal values, and find ways to bridge divides in order to maintain cohesion and influence in the region. The future of the power bond and its impact on European politics will shape the trajectory of democracy and integration in Central and Eastern Europe.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adam Balcer, Zsuzsanna Vegh (2022). The game is not over: Fidesz, Law and Justice, and far-right cooperation in the EU. Available at: https://ecfr.eu/article/the-game-is-not-over-fidesz-law-and-justice-and-far-right-cooperation-in-the-eu/

Balcer, A., Végh, Z. (2022). The game is not over: Fidesz, Law and Justice, and far-right cooperation in the EU. Available at: https://ecfr.eu/article/the-game-is-not-over-fidesz-law-and-justice-and-far-right-cooperation-in-the-eu/

Balfour, R., (2017). The (Resistable) Rise of Populism in Europe and its Impact on European and International Cooperation. Available at: https://www.iemed.org/publication/the-resistable-rise-of-populism-in-europe-and-its-impact-on-european-and-international-cooperation/

Bergmann, E. (2020). Introduction: The Rise of Nativist Populism. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7245515/

Bharti, M. S. (2022a). The Economic Integration of the Central and Eastern European Countries into the European Union: Special Reference to Regional Development. Copernicus Political and Legal Studies, 1(2), 11-23.

Bharti, M. S. (2022b). The Government and Politics of Poland in the Light of the politutional Perspective since 1989. Przegląd Prawa Konstytucyjnego, 70 (6), 439-452.

Bharti, M.S. & Bharti, S.S. (2022). The EU Public Diplomacy in the Time of Virtual Reality: Political, Social and Economic Implications. In Olbrych, B. & Ziółkowski, A. (Eds.), Wirtualna Rzeczywistość W Perspektywie Prawnej, Bezpieczeństwa Cyfrowego I Technologii Informacyjnych. Radom: Akademia Handlowa Nauk Stosowanych w Radomiu.

Bharti, S. S. (2020). Strengthening the Development Partnership between the EU and South Asia: A Contemporary Analysis. Slovak Journal of Political Science/Slovenská politologická revue, 20(2), 278-298.

Diamond L. (2017). When Does Populism Become a Threat to Democracy? Available at: https://diamond-democracy.stanford.edu/speaking/speeches/when-does-populism-become-threat-democracy

European Parliament (2016). An EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/EPRS/EPRS_STUD_579328_AnnexII_CEPS_EU_Scoreboard_12April.pdf.

European Parliament (2022). Benefits of further European integration. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2023/734690/EPRS_STU(2023)734690_EN.pdf

Exeter,, J., Fries, S. (1998) The Post-Communist Transition: Patterns and Prospects. Available at: https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/1998/09/exeter.htm

Galston, W. A., (2018). The populist challenge to liberal democracy. Available at: https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-populist-challenge-to-liberal-democracy/

Galston, W.A. (2018, March). The rise of European populism and the collapse of the center-left. Available at: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2018/03/08/the-rise-of-european-populism-and-the-collapse-of-the-center-left/#:~:text=The%20rise%20of%20populism%2C%20mostly,blow%20to%20the%20center%2Dleft.

Gidron, N., Hall, P.A. (2019). Populism as a Problem of Social Integration, 53(7). Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0010414019879947

Kyle, J., Mounk, Y. (2018). The Populist Harm to Democracy: An Empirical Assessment. Available at: https://www.institute.global/insights/geopolitics-and-security/populist-harm-democracy-empirical-assessment.

Liddiard, P. (2018) Is Populism Really a Problem for Democracy? Available at: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/populism-really-problem-for-democracy

OECD, (2014) Inequality hurts economic growth, finds OECD research. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/newsroom/inequality-hurts-economic-growth.htm

Onion, A., Sullivan,M., Mullen M. (2023) Franklin Roosevelt appeals to Hitler for peace. Available at: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/franklin-roosevelt-appeals-to-hitler-for-peace

Pappas, Takis S. (2019). Populism and Liberal Democracy: A Comparative and Theoretical Analysis (Oxford, 2019; online edn, Oxford Academic, 23 May 2019), https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198837886.001.0001.

Silver, L. (2022) Populists in Europe – especially those on the right – have increased their vote shares in recent elections. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/10/06/populists-in-europe-especially-those-on-the-right-have-increased-their-vote-shares-in-recent-elections/

Simons, K., Silver, L., Johnson, C., Wike, R. (2018) In Western Europe, Populist Parties Tap Anti-Establishment Frustration but Have Little Appeal Across Ideological Divide. Available at: https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2018/07/12/in-western-europe-populist-parties-tap-anti-establishment-frustration-but-have-little-appeal-across-ideological-divide/

Swinnen, J. F.M., Herck, V.K. (N.D.). The impact of Global Economic and Financial Crisis on Food Security and the Agricultural Sector on Eastern Europe and Central Asia. pp. 3-4

Williams R. C., Kestenbaum, J.G., Meier, B.M. (2020) Populist Nationalism Threatens Health and Human Rights in the COVID-19 Response. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7661975/

Zgut, E. (2022) Informal Exercise of Power: Undermining Democracy Under the EU’s Radar in Hungary and Poland, 14 (2-3). Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8889382/

US Department of State, (2009). European Union. Available at: https://2009-2017.state.gov/p/eur/rt/eu/index.htm


Abstract views: 807
PDF Downloads: 689
Published
2023-06-30
How to Cite
Maggo, R., & Kumari, S. (2023). The Rise of Populism in Central and Eastern Europe: The gaining power bond between Hungary and Poland in the European Union. Social Development and Security, 13(3), 206-217. https://doi.org/10.33445/sds.2023.13.3.14
Section
International Policy Coordination and Transmission