State Christianity: Illiberalism and Popular Religion in Hungary

• In Event: Civic and Uncivic Values in Hungary: Values Transformation, Politics, and Religion

Abstract

While scholars have already noted the utilization of Christian symbols, history, and rituals to serve the political establishment in Hungary since the collapse of state socialism, this analysis focuses on how illiberalism emerged, and, more importantly, highlights the roles selective Churches and religions play in the maintenance of state and right-wing power. By forging a new constitution and turning the republic into a Christian nation-state, the ruling ideology reveals the single most important key for the successful maintenance of illiberal ideology: total control and reliance of the rural population adhering to the moral economy of the historic Churches/religions in Hungary.

Author

• László Kürti, U of Miskolc (Hungary)