The evolution of Hungarian democracy: Antisystems in communist Hungary

The rapidity with which many East European states shifted from communist to democratic polities after the collapse of the Soviet Union took many researchers by surprise. This research provides an explanation of the 1989 transitions to democracy using Hungary as a case study. The Hungarian case is examined by employing affiliation networks, structured around periods of systemic change.; Antisystems, or groups standing in opposition to the government leadership's goals, worked within the communist structure and undermined the regime. Between 1945 and 1953, communists consolidated control over the system and instituted rapid Stalinization. Industrial managers retained access to economic and political resources, while farmers fought communist control and challenged the Party. The Hungarian Revolution demonstrated the rise and unification of workers, intellectuals, and farmers against the repressive Stalinist regime in an uprising that expedited de-Stalinization. After the Revolution, technocrats rebuilt the Hungarian system. Technocrats in leadership positions challenged industrial managers and conservative Party members. Born out of the constant conflict through the 1970s were the systemic alterations in the early 1980s. Reforms placed technocrats and intellectuals in alliance against Party dominance, while farmers and workers enjoyed a more open environment for resource competition.; The research demonstrates that the Hungarian transition to democracy developed from antisystem network linkages. Antisystern subelites capitalized on periods of systemic change to open political space. Alliances between antisystem leaders and system elites created positive linkages that challenged Party power and destabilized the regime.