Who are the citizens of Europe?

Current citizenship laws in the European Union vary dramatically. The tension between freedom of movement and national legislation on citizenship has the potential to create serious conflicts, writes Rainer Bauböck. [Hungarian version added] [more]

Right turn

Polish politics at the beginning of the twenty-first century

Alternatives to the anti-communism and national conservatism of Poland's two main rightwing parties are barely offered by a Centre-Left tarnished by corruption scandals. With new elections set for 21 October, it seems unlikely that Poland will alter its course rightwards. [Bulgarian version added] [more]

Summer notes about reforms and "raison d'état"

Part 2

In liberal circles in Kádár-era Hungary, "reform" was used as a cover for democratic change; in post-Socialist states today, the term "democracy" is often seen as a revolutionary anachronism by younger generations. In the second instalment of this two-part essay, Csaba Gombár discusses reform's role in the transformation of the State. [more]

Summer notes about reforms and "raison d'état"

Part I

The inflated use of the term "reform" in Hungary and other post-Socialist states calls for an enquiry into its kinship with "revolution". In the first instalment of this two-part essay, Csaba Gombár explains why, as an eastern European, he could only take US counterculture seriously in retrospect. [more]

Transition or transitions?

The transformation of eastern central Europe 1989-2007

"Incomplete regime change", "interrupted revolution", "geo-political paradigm shift"... Accounts of the transition in eastern central Europe have tended to emphasize particular features to the exclusion of others. Elemér Hankiss pieces together a mosaic of interpretations of transition. [Lithuanian version added] [more]