Tendencje i trendy autorytarne we współczesnej Europie. Polska i Węgry w obliczu kryzysu demokracji. Nowy autorytaryzm
Authoritarian Tendencies and Trends in Contemporary Europe. Poland and Hungary Facing the Crisis of Democracy. The New Authoritarianism

Summary/Abstract: For a long time, there has been a talk of a global democracy crisis, which simultaneously creates a longing for a strong and effective governing apparatus, an authority. Although these are global issues, they are visible in the countries of Central Europe as well. It begs the question: are such tendencies also emerging in Poland? Author addresses the issues of the broadly defined crisis (erosion) of democracy, which is also connected to the inability to properly manage social conflicts and the general inability to remedy a type of dysfunctionality of governments. Another question concerns how to classify current political system of Hungary. Is it an authoritarian system in its pure form? Can a disappointment related to some flaws of democracy and a turn towards authority figures be considered a move towards authoritarianism? Are the lines between it and democracy clear, or are they blurry? Currently, it is emphasized that pure systems are not always the case, and hybrid regimes or systems are often distinguished. The discussion focuses on the systemic changes that occurred in Hungary after 2010 and in Poland after 2015 (to 2023). The choice of these two case studies is particularly linked to the global discussion concerning the „doubtful” reforms and the gradual abandonment (to a greater or lesser extent) of the classic model of democracy. The study also focuses on the definition of historical and contemporary authoritarianism, its potential variants, and determining whether it truly poses a current threat to democracy (including the democracy in Poland). The observed trend of „Poland’s slow descent towards the authoritarian system” has been described, as well as its criticism presented by the representatives of branches of various sciences (and the political scene). Charismatic, high-profile politicians (authority figures) are admired for often embodying all manifestations of power, which is concentrated in one set of hands (beyond the aforementioned imposing) can generate abuses and distance systemic values from the values of democracy. Representatives of authoritarian governments typically have access to science, technology, human resources, and media– which serve as powerful tools for influencing the subjects under their control.

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