State Terrorism in Hungary: The Case of Friendly Repression
Abstract
Hungary is often portrayed as a refreshingly liberal contrast to other Soviet bloc regimes of Eastern Europe. This sentiment is reflected in both the scholarly and popular press with depressing regularity. For example, Völgyes, a prolific Hungarologist writes in Current History that Hungary “has become a relatively free, liberal country…one of the few Communists states that has no political prisoners…” And Don Cook, writing for the Los Angeles Times says that “…the atmosphere in Budapest is totally devoid of repression or fear.” Indeed, Hungary is different from other East European regimes. It boasts a relatively smoothly functioning economy, a popular leader, and a reasonably satisfied and well-fed population.
This paper has been withdrawn.