How Does Populism in Poland and Hungary Lead to Democratic Backsliding?
Advisor(s)
Dr. Robert Alexander, Dr. Kalyn Rossiter
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
Dean's Heritage Room
Start Date
16-4-2024 2:15 PM
End Date
16-4-2024 5:45 PM
Abstract
Global scholars have witnessed a consistent trend of democratic backsliding in recent years. Particular findings that even some well-established democracies are trending toward autocratization has left political scientists puzzled. This study looks at Poland and Hungary, two nations who once stood out among their peers for their remarkable transition from post-communist autocratic Soviet states to successful consolidated democracies. Now these nations find themselves among the most prominently identified nations threatened by democratic backsliding. This study uses process tracing methods, data gathered from The Freedom House, and other models and methods. The study investigates how changes in the government infrastructure in Poland and Hungary, specifically the role of the courts and the legislature, carved the path for the ruling parties to make significant changes that favored their organization, limited opportunities for opposition parties, and potentially hindered the political freedoms of individuals and the sanctity of political institutions within the state government.
Recommended Citation
Clayton, Caleb Thomas, "How Does Populism in Poland and Hungary Lead to Democratic Backsliding?" (2024). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 19.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2024/papers/19
Level of Access
Open Access
Open Access
Available to all.
How Does Populism in Poland and Hungary Lead to Democratic Backsliding?
Dean's Heritage Room
Global scholars have witnessed a consistent trend of democratic backsliding in recent years. Particular findings that even some well-established democracies are trending toward autocratization has left political scientists puzzled. This study looks at Poland and Hungary, two nations who once stood out among their peers for their remarkable transition from post-communist autocratic Soviet states to successful consolidated democracies. Now these nations find themselves among the most prominently identified nations threatened by democratic backsliding. This study uses process tracing methods, data gathered from The Freedom House, and other models and methods. The study investigates how changes in the government infrastructure in Poland and Hungary, specifically the role of the courts and the legislature, carved the path for the ruling parties to make significant changes that favored their organization, limited opportunities for opposition parties, and potentially hindered the political freedoms of individuals and the sanctity of political institutions within the state government.