December 8, 2011
Why has the popularly elected government of this small nation surrounded by Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia and Croatia received so much criticism? Why has Slovakia challenged a recently enacted law allowing ethnic Hungarians living in regions formerly part of Hungary to apply for Hungarian citizenship, despite the existence of similar laws in other countries? Why is Hungary’s new Constitution, its first permanent written constitution since 1949, being questioned? And just how stable and prosperous is this fascinating country in the heart of Central Europe?
Hungary continues to confront its history: the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Kingdom after World War I, which cost Hungary two-thirds of its territory and left large Hungarian communities outside its borders, followed by 50 years of post-World War II Communism. In the twenty years since the Communist regime collapsed various Hungarian governments have struggled to create a democratic state and solve the country’s social and economic problems, but a multitude remain as harbingers for the future.
The Speakers
Where
St. John’s College, Junior Commons Room. On December , 2011, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
RSVP by June 11
Parking
The Visitors Parking Lot is on your left as you enter campus. A few handicapped parking spaces are located at the Visitor’s Circle right in front of the fishpond area and below the Peterson Student Center. A few more are located behind the Peterson Center as follows. Just before the Visitor’s Circle, look for the fork in the road where you would normally drive to the left to get to the Visitors’ Parking Circle just below the Peterson Center. Instead, turn right and follow the drive up to the other parking area. There are two or three handicapped parking spaces on the left. Please note that this parking lot is not open to the public, but handicapped folks are allowed to park in the designated spaces.
