Nationalism and conservative populism in the CEE bloc: a political economy and historical institutional approach

Abstract

We explore and explain the contemporary illiberal turn and liberal democracy erosion in Central Europe, using the historical institutionalism and political economy approach. Focusing on the cases of Hungary, Poland and Czechia, populism in Central Europe is understandable only within the historical sequence of attempts to solve the problem of independent national state formation and economic modernization. Superficial acceptance of the reform and policy package of liberal democracy and neoliberal economy was the result of the rush to the West after the collapse of Soviet bloc and conditionality of EU and NATO membership by implementation of this template. As limitations of the dependent market economy model become apparent after the 2008 global financial crisis, there is an ongoing search for alternatives to achieve the historical mission - a respected national state with a competitive economy. Both liberal democracy and neoliberal economy are questioned by the “authentic representatives” of the nation, mobilizing the public in order to avert the dissolution of the nation within the European arena, dominated by Western powers, international capital and progressive and cosmopolitan elites. While targeting elites, populist policies impact minorities (Roma, immigrants, LGBT), civil society, media and academia.