Changing Legal and Civic Culture in an Illiberal Democracy: A Social Psychological Survey of the Hungarian Legal System

Changing Legal and Civic Culture in an Illiberal Democracy is an empirical study on recent developments in legal and civic consciousness in Hungary, drawing from social psychology to explore a shift in legal consciousness during the Orbán government's tenure. The book highlights the perspectives of the Hungarian population regarding right-wing politics and the erosion of the rule of law, and establishes a correlation between surveys and changing perceptions of civic and legal cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 126 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Changing Legal and Civic Culture in an Illiberal Democracy is a groundbreaking empirical study that delves into recent developments in legal and civic consciousness in Hungary. Drawing upon social psychology as its methodology, this book offers a profound exploration of a significant shift in legal consciousness during the tenure of Orbán's government, which has solidified Hungary's reputation as an illiberal democracy.

The book forefronts the voices of the Hungarian population, shedding light on their perceptions of the shift towards increasingly right-wing politics and the erosion of the rule of law. It begins with an extensive theoretical introduction that provides a comprehensive historical background and psychological dimensions of legal consciousness in Hungary, contextualizing the research within the broader framework of international developments.

Subsequently, the book presents its empirical findings, offering a jargon-free account of how ordinary people's perceptions of their relationship to Hungary's civic and legal cultures have evolved. It explores the correlations between surveys and employs a rigorous methodological approach to establish the validity of theories of legal consciousness and social change.

This text holds immense value for researchers and students of social psychology, law, international relations, and Central European studies. It provides a fresh perspective on shifts in legal consciousness and the rule of law in Balkan and Eastern European countries, offering valuable insights and methodologies for further exploration. By examining the experiences and perspectives of the Hungarian population, this book contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics shaping legal and civic cultures in contemporary societies.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 242 x 159 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032037691