Illiberal Democracy in Central- and Eastern Europe Social Sciences Program Spring 2022 Semester - Budapest

During the course Central-and Eastern European economic and political systems are analysed by the methodology of political economy. In the focal point of our analysis stands the relationship between the political and the economic systems of the CEE countries. Using the framework of political economy, we scrutinize the impact of EU accession of these countries on the operation, structure, development, and performance of their states. Why does populism strengthen and why do illiberal or managed democracies emerge is also a crucial question of the course. We do not only focus on explanation of the rise of illiberal states, but we also want to understand the possible impacts on the development of societies and economic systems of these countries. During the course we study Jelcin's and Putin's Russia, Meciar's and Fico's Slovakia, Tudjman's Croatia, Illiescu's Romania, Kaczynskis' Poland and Orbán's Hungary.

Corvinus University of Budapest awards credits based on the ECTS system (2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. credit therefore, 6 ECTS credits is equivalent to 3 U.S. credits). At Corvinus University of Budapest, all classes meet for a minimum of 180 minutes per week. Contact hours are calculated through a combination of lecture hours and outside activities which can include (workshops, seminars, fieldwork activities, guest lectures, and independent work) therefore, contact hours may vary on syllabi.