This essay examines the multidisciplinary debate around what has recently been referred to as an epidemic of ‘deaths of despair.’ Surviving and dying are life chances in the most profound sense. As Amartya Sen famously argued, our chances of survival are also a robust indicator of economic success and failure (Sen 1998). Today, the declining life expectancy in deindustrialized, rustbelt areas and the accompanying deepening of health inequalities in the U.S. signal the existen

Globalist neoliberalism, with its focus on human rights and multilateralism, is on the decline. However, its alternative is not a post-WW2-type social democratic arrangement. Instead, a new, national-populist neoliberalism — neo-illiberalism — is on the rise. Neoliberalism is bifurcating. The rise of national-populists such as Bolsonaro, Trump, or ‘Brexit-Boris’ befits this new wave of national-populist neoliberalism. The recent pandemic-induced fatigue with populism and reve

"Over the past decade, Hungary has become a classic case in the debate over illiberal democracy- even more recently with the rise of figures such as Matteo Salvini, Donald Trump, or Jair Bolsonaro on the international political scene. Around this theme was born this dialogue with Gábor Scheiring, former opposition MP in Hungary, sociologist (Ph.D., Cambridge) and researcher at Bocconi University."

Behind the veneer of economic nationalism, Hungary is one of the breeding grounds of a new incarnation of neoliberalism.

Three pitfalls from a Hungarian perspective that could hinder beating Trumpism after Trump vacates the White House. The official start of the transition to the Biden Administration signals the end of the battle against Donald Trump. However, Trump’s legacy will not end when he finally vacates the White House. Just as crucial as defeating Trump will be defeating Trumpism. To do that, Democrats will need to avoid three pitfalls. I have lived through the consequences of these mi

Orbán is right to worry about EU funds becoming conditional on the rule of law. It threatens his whole socio-economic model The EU and Viktor Orbán’s government have clashed on several occasions over democracy and the rule of law. Orbán is aware that his wiggle room would significantly shrink if the EU made the payment of funds conditional on compliance with the rule of law. This is why Orbán — together with his Polish allies — vetoed the EU budget and the recovery fund (wort

It's an absolute honor that the Mayor of Budapest, Karácsony Gergely joined my book forum to discuss the state of democracy in Hungary. Gergely is the co-chair of the party we co-founded back in the day after Gergo left teaching political science. Though our ways parted, it was great to reunite and discuss Hungarian politics. I am grateful for the event organized by Janna Brancolini and the Foreign Press Association Milan | Associazione Stampa Estera Milano - check out their

Fighting populism requires recognising: globalisation contributed to enabling & stabilising illiberal populist regimes such as Orbán’s.

How can we interpret the characteristic steps of the Hungarian government to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic?

Death rates were strong predictors of the Trump Brexit votes. Rising working-class mortality signals both economic and democratic failure.

The government’s responses to Covid-19 correspond to the logic of Orbanomics: capitalism for the poor, socialism for the rich.

The health of people and the health of democracy are intertwined.

What do Italy and Hungary reveal about the political-economic background of the coronavirus crisis? My article in the Italian weekly Left.

The false Western sense of superiority endangers people.

The local government elections brought advances for the opposition but also new challenges for the left.

What are the deeper challenges facing contemporary left-wing class politics in Hungary?

Authoritarian leaders find it hard to tolerate independent voices, and academic freedom is no different. After Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán announced the year of the ‘culture war’, the government effectively banished Central European University from Budapest. The prestigious research institutes of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences are next in line. The pretext is the need for boosting innovation. However, the truth is that governmental policies under Hungary’s autho

Viktor Orban is leading Hungary away from the rule of law and human rights — but with popular support. How? Here's everything you need to know.

Blaming citizens for their alleged populist or anti-democratic turn is misleading. Without the active involvement of the economic elite, both foreign and domestic, authoritarian capitalism could not have emerged in Hungary. The fierce anti-migrant hate campaign was the most visible sign of the length to which Orbán was prepared to go to ensure his majority. Since 2010 Orbán has been using the momentum created by popular anger at the failures of liberal policies to build up hi

As the world awakens from the shock of Donald Trump being elected, liberals and people on the left have started to draw the conclusions. Class plays a crucial role in the rise of illiberalism. You just have to ask the right questions to realise how. Restoring class analysis and class politics is the first step towards combating illiberal politics. Apparently, it takes some time until the elite learns that economic frustration is a seedbed for illiberalism. For decades, econom

The crisis of the Left, a post-communist peculiarity until just a few years ago, has become critical all over Europe. If the Left wants to avoid returning to the 1930s and becoming insignificant in European political history in the coming decades it has to be thoroughly overhauled. Creeping unemployment, increasing inequality, a tumbling international currency system, Western democratic leaders weaponless against illiberal politics emerging throughout Central and Eastern Euro

The ascent of right-wing hegemony in an increasing number of countries in Europe is forcing progressives to rethink their agendas and strategies. For years it appeared that conservative authoritarianism is a peculiarity of a few unruly post-socialist countries of the old continent. In a post-Brexit age, with Norbert Hofer in Austria and Marine Le Pen in France close to power, it has become evident that progressive politics needs to change throughout Europe. East Meets West At

A Lesson About Class for the Left In response to Trump’s election, restoring class analysis and class politics is the first step towards combating illiberal politics. Apparently, it takes some time until the elite learns that economic frustration is a seedbed for illiberalism. For decades, economic critiques of financial globalisation and socially disembedded economic liberalism were marginal until the 2008 financial crisis turned our views mainstream overnight. Now, the West

Opposition MPs chained themselves to parliament barrier. Ruling Fidesz party passes laws on elections and economy. IMF/EU talks in limbo: new deal key to market confidence.