We now have been in Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary, reading the news and talking to locals. One thing each has in common is that the radical right wing parties are gaining. None are a threat to take over, but all are growing, enough to make some folks nervous. In some ways it’s not so unlike the US and the Tea Party – but with a whole different context – that is, they still remember the fanatical right taking over and making life a figurative and literal hell. It makes a difference.
Hearing about Jewish history in these countries [The continuing story is: 1)- invite Jews in; 2) – Use Jews to borrow money for war &/or development; 3) – kill &/or throw Jews out (neatly absolving debt); 4) – A few years later need financing again so invite Jews back in. Repeat every 150 years or so] makes one realize that 65 years (the time since WII) isn’t very long. So, I wonder, can we trust that fascism or some variant won’t return to these places?
So, my non-historian’s take is this. First, beats me. Damn sure hope not. Some of the people we talked to are nervous but don’t think it will happen. So, are there any structural changes that make a difference? There may be a few, it seems to me. First, in the early 20th century most of these places had no history with democracy –World War I put an end to centuries of autocratic regimes (kings, emperors). The more experience they get, the stronger democracy may be and certainly seems to be.
Second, I think the EU is making a difference. These are no longer isolated states –they are heavily integrated into the EU and the Schengen Treaty. The EU can wield some big sticks if someone tries to radically change democratic systems. Last, the internet and globalism are changing the context – in terms of what people know and how connected they are to everyone else.
Lots of discussion and images of tanks in the streets of Prague and Budapest. It was all pretty disturbing – but there is no more USSR or Warsaw pact to send them.
Not brilliant analysis, I admit, but some quick thoughts.
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This is a bit late, but I've been working on taxes. Took some time to catch up on your blog. I am enjoying the comments and activities. As for your concerns, Rich, about the rise of the rightwing. Everyone quotes Santayana about being condemned to repeat history if we forget, but the truth is that eventually we do forget. So, we will be repeating.
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