ENGLISH

Crucibles of Political Loyalty: Church Institutions and Electoral Continuity in Hungary

By Jason Wittenberg

Book information

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
2006
ISBN
0521849128, 9780521849128, 9780511191848
LCC
BR869.52 .W58 2006
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
2 MB (2514761 bytes)
Series
Cambridge Studies in Comparative Politics
Pages
313\313
Scanned
yes
Time added
2010-02-18 13:16:04
Политические дисциплины;Политология;Политическая иполитические режимы и системы

Description

This book investigates one of the oldest paradoxes in political science: why do mass political loyalties persist even amid prolonged social upheaval and disruptive economic development. Drawing on extensive archival research and an original database of election results, this book explores the paradox of political persistence by examining Hungary's often tortuous path from pre- to post-communism. Wittenberg reframes the theoretical debate, and then demonstrates how despite the many depredations of communism, the Roman Catholic and Calvinist Churches transmitted loyalties to parties of the Right. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Church resistance occurred not from above, but from below. Hemmed in and harassed by communist party cadres, parish priests and pastors employed a variety of ingenious tactics to ensure the continued survival of local church institutions. These institutions insulated their adherents from pressures to assimilate into the surrounding socialist milieu. Ultimately this led to political continuity between pre- and post-communism.

Similar books