The disintegration of the Soviet Bloc raised high expectations, both inside and outside the bloc, for a successful transition towards freedom, democracy and prosperity.
Professor Sandor Striker was an active participant in this process during the past quarter of a century as an academic, a researcher, a public servant and a diplomat. He argues, that old – feudal as well as authoritarian – socio-cultural patterns are once again re-emerging in this part of the world that are often at odds with the values we associate with Western Europe and North America. Indeed, some of these countries, including Hungary are taking a U-turn towards pre-modern social, economic and political patterns and practices. Professor Striker will examine the symptoms and causes of this unexpected historical turn.