Transition and Post Transition Challenges in Hungary

Disintegration of planned economy and shifts in international relations led to a regime change in Central Eastern Europe in 1989/1990, opening the road for the whole region to get free from Soviet rule, and start reintegrating into Western economic, political and security systems. The socio-economic transformation (transition in the parlance of development banks and academic literature) has produced so far a mixed record in most countries.

The course aims at analysing the particular Hungarian regime change and the transformation/transition process that has evolved since the country broke with the former political system in 1989/1990. In the early 1990s, Hungary was seen as a leading reformer and as such a natural candidate to join the European Union among the very first few. Accession eventually took place in 2004. At present, Hungary - already an EU member state - struggles with a certain 'adjustment fatigue'. We will look at key policy areas and analyse recent political and economic policy events.

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.