Nationalism and Hegemony
Nationalism and Hegemony

Symbolic Politics and Colonization of Culture

Author(s): András Bozóki
Subject(s): Cultural history, Political behavior, Politics and society, Present Times (2010 - today), Political Essay
Published by: Central European University Press
Keywords: Orbán regime;Hungary;Cultural policy;nationalism;
Summary/Abstract: In this chapter the cultural politics of the Orbán regime will be interpreted in the context of the regime as a whole. In post-2010 Hungary, cultural policy cannot be viewed as one of the governmental sectors separable from the prime minister’s concept of power and symbolic politicking. The autocratic worldview and nationalist political culture represented by him are closely related to what his underlings perform under the rubric “cultural policy.” The essence of cultural policy is expressed by the notion of nationalism. This approach does not much tolerate alternative worldviews and artistic expressions; it seeks to achieve hegemony, if not cultural monopoly. Representatives of the regime do not enter debates on cultural and political values—they simply disregard the opposing views and aim to represent their own hegemonic approach which is identified with “the nation.” The cadres appointed as chiefs of a sector act according to the prime minister’s expectations.

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