Local soviets and councils in the Ex-socialist European States with special regard to Hungary (1950–1990)

Abstract

The scholarly study and analysis of the Hungarian council system (195–90) as a system of institutions and structure of public administration is a novel challenge rarely attempted to date in the field of the history of public administration. Although the period of 40 years under study is still something of a grey area for legal historians, there are already researchers and experts who venture into this territory. In addition to offering a historical overview, the present paper also analyses the life and operation of public administration in a specific historical and legal period from legal and administrative aspects. The council system, although undoubtedly still a subject of much debate and criticism, was definitely a possible form of public administration, and today constitutes an integral part of the history of the 20th century.