Resurgent Antisemitism: The Threat of Viktor Orban and His Political Arsenal
Open Access
Author:
Green, Jacob
Area of Honors:
History
Degree:
Bachelor of Humanities
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Tobias Heinrich Albert Brinkmann, Thesis Supervisor Cathleen Denise Cahill, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Viktor Orban History Jewish Studies Nationalism Antisemitism Historical Revisionism Hungary Politics
Abstract:
This thesis will analyze the role and prevalence of antisemitism in Hungary across various time periods to better understand the populist foundation of the modern crisis. Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz government rely on antisemitic tropes to maintain political power and realize their authoritarian vision for the nation. By investigating Hungarian history from World War I through the communist era, this thesis will develop a historical framework to better understand recent events and why they are so troubling. Next, the modern context will be examined to uncover Orban’s tactical use of antisemitism and historical revisionism. Orban’s tactics leave minority communities in Hungary, especially the nation’s large Jewish community, vulnerable to nationalist outbursts and undermine democracy.
