The “Third Road” Concept in 1956 Hungary

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the Hungarian concept and policies from a historical perspective. People critical of the communist regime suggested the concept in the event of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. There are several definitions of the concept. In fact, an approach similar to the concept had already been emerging during the late-1930s, during World War-II (WWII) and during the post-war People's Republic periods. Towards the end of WWII, as Soviet influence on Hungary seemed to increase, Laszlo Nemeth again discussed the Road, envisaging postwar Hungary at a populist conference held in Szarszo in August 1943. In the period of people's democracy after WWII, Istvan Bibo of the National Peasant Party advocated synthesizing Western democracy and Eastern democracy. The chapter presents how Prime Minister Nagy outlined his program of economic and political reform, a program which would undermine the existing system of socialism. Keywords: communist regime; Hungarian revolution; Istvan Bibo; Laszlo Nemeth; Nagy; post-war People's Republic periods; Stalin-model socialism; Szarszo; Third Road concept; World War II (WWII)