Orbanism

During the 2010 Hungarian election, vestiges of Orbanism emerged as Victor Orbán became increasingly challenged by the older liberal politicians, intellectuals, and the media elite who attempted to influence policymaking. There was also the SZDSZ's coalition with the post-communist MSZP, led by Gyula Horn. In response, Orbán eschewed liberalism in favor of conservatism. A core component of Orbanism is its embrace and defense of Christian democracy and values. Orbán, himself, called the ideology as a Christian project. He pursues it through his Fidesz political party. ==Illiberal democracy==

Orbanism abandons liberal methods and principles in organizing society. Orbanism's innovation is said to have stemmed from its success in combining American-style self-confidence with a politics of indignation. It has been described as an ideology that emerged from Europe edges, characterized by a confrontational style and strong leadership. Orbán described this as more stable in comparison with European liberalism, which he characterized as a system that has morphed into a tyranny of political correctness and mainstream politics. According to Orbán, "it is not a simple sum of individuals, but a community that needs to be organized, strengthened, and developed" into an "illiberal state". This is also seen in the government's policy towards the media. An advisor to Fidesz explained the philosophy, stating that "positive discrimination promoting the representation of right values in the press is morally justified" as these are suppressed under socialism. ==Nationalism==

Orbanism, as a political movement, also renews the language of populism so that it is deployed from the position of the government. Orbán is known for his controversial rhetoric such as his criticism of the mixing of European and non-European races. The reference to history in Orbanism can be demonstrated in the way it upholds certain events in Hungarian society such as the Holy Crown or Horthy's regime and also in the approach of the idea of nation as exclusive. Orban's policy has emphasized national sovereignty and consistently opposed external interference in Hungarian affairs. Although his emphasis on sovereignty is questionable and dubious due to Russia's close ties to Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party. Orbanism's take on economic policy has been described as ideologically complex and unorthodox. It is a combination of neo-liberal elements, which include flat tax, drastic social security tax, the total delegation of social responsibilities to the local governments, and austerity in the education system, among others. These are mixed with populist elements (e.g. administrative cuts in household expenses) and state intervention (e.g. market regulation, nationalization, and state monopolies). In terms of foreign policy, Orbanism favors a militaristic philosophy. The goal is to operationalize the interests of the Hungarian people. ==Orbanism vs. Gaullism==

Orbanism has been compared with Gaullism due to its similarities. For instance, both political movements are anti-liberal and they also attempted to create a direct link with the people by circumventing the Parliament. They also tried to limit the capacity of independent bodies to control the actions of the government. In contrast to de Gaulle's ideology, Orbanism is seen as less coherent since it does not widen the margin of maneuver of the executive largely because of the Hungarian basic law, which frequently uses the two-thirds super majority rule. For instance, to create and modify the income tax bracket, two-thirds of the Parliament is required for its approval. There is also the case of the Hungarian Constitutional Court, which has the power to challenge the constitutionality of legislative action such as the amendment to the constitution. == Orbanism's relationship to Putinism ==

Orban's transition from a Anti-Russian liberal to "Kremlin’s best friend in Europe" started in 2012,becoming a right wing populist eurosceptic. The EU protested a number of post-2010 laws and policies went against European political standards. Therefore, Hungary confronted fierce criticism from the EU governing bodies as well as Western constitutional experts. Observers assessed that Hungary made a “sharp U-turn” in its political development and is “retreating from democracy” towards “a one-party state” under the rule of Orbán.. Putin ethnic nationalism and surveillance statesystem were a key concept in Orban's Hungary. ==Reception==

Orbanism has found favor among conservatives in the United States. His "illiberalism" or opposition to liberal democracy appealed to those who fear demographic decline and the displacement of Christian values. The ideology was featured in August 2021 in Tucker Carlson's show. According to Carlson, Orbanism is a positive example for Americans as a system based on political will, demonstrating how a country based on traditional values, national identity, and Christian traditions can be successful. Donald Trump's former chief strategist, Steve Bannon, once called Orbán "Trump before Trump". There are critics who explain that Orbanism is merely characterized by three main features. The first is the maximization of personal power and control more than any specific ideological commitment or vision. Second, Orbán adopts different ideological standpoints as and when necessary. Finally, there is the rejection of consensus through deliberation and politics is treated as a zero-sum game. This view dismisses Orbanism as an ideological movement but a systematic project designed to expand Orbán's personal power. == See also ==