Lawfare Archive: Zack Beauchamp on the American Right’s Embrace of the Hungarian Regime of Viktor Orbán
Feb 16, 2025
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Zack Beauchamp, a Senior Correspondent at Vox, dives into the American right's growing fascination with Viktor Orbán's authoritarian regime. He discusses how figures like Tucker Carlson have praised Orbán, reflecting a shift toward embracing foreign authoritarianism that could reshape American conservatism. Beauchamp explores the implications of this admiration for U.S. democracy and how it reveals deeper ideological changes within the Republican Party, questioning the future of liberty and diversity in America.
The podcast highlights the American right's growing admiration for Viktor Orbán's regime, as exemplified by Tucker Carlson's favorable portrayal, signifying a shift towards authoritarianism in conservative media.
Listeners are informed that many conservative elites see Hungary's move to 'illiberal democracy' as a viable model for combating cultural and immigration concerns, indicating a realignment of values in American conservatism.
The discussion underscores the rise of competitive authoritarianism within the GOP, reflecting a dangerous adoption of tactics that undermine democratic norms and threaten the future of American governance.
Deep dives
The Rise of Orbanism and Its Appeal
The podcast discusses the increasing admiration for Viktor Orban's regime in Hungary among American conservative elites, particularly figures like Tucker Carlson. This admiration stems from a shared sentiment on the American right regarding national identity and cultural preservation, which resonates with hardline nationalists frustrated by immigration and social changes. Orban's policies, including strict immigration controls and an assertive stance on traditional values, attract those who feel marginalized in the current socio-political landscape of the United States. Proponents of this view see Orban as a leader willing to powerfully assert national sovereignty and combat liberalism, which they view as a threat to their identity.
Cultural War Strategies: Lessons from Hungary
The episode emphasizes how American conservatives perceive Hungary's shift from liberal democracy to what is termed 'illiberal democracy' as a model for navigating cultural conflicts in the U.S. Many on the right view Hungary’s crackdown on liberal institutions, such as the removal of foreign-funded entities like Central European University, as an effective strategy for reclaiming cultural dominance. These tactics, including limiting the presentation of LGBTQ+ content, resonate with a faction of the Republican party that feels threatened by progressive movements. This reflects a broader trend where cultural, rather than democratic, victories are prioritized by certain segments of the right.
Tucker Carlson's Role in Mainstreaming Orbanism
Tucker Carlson's trip to Hungary and his favorable portrayal of Orban highlights the strategic direction of right-wing media efforts to redefine American conservatism. Carlson’s provocations serve to galvanize his audience against perceived liberal oppression while positioning himself as a champion of traditional values. By framing Orban’s policies positively, he seeks to create a narrative that normalizes authoritarian admiration within conservative discourse. This tactic may also preemptively dilute dissent within the right, creating a unified front against the 'cultural enemies' they perceive in the left.
Decentralized Authoritarianism in the U.S.
The discussion also touches upon the concept of decentralized authoritarianism, illustrating how the Republican Party has gradually adopted tactics reminiscent of Hungary's political strategies. This shift includes extreme gerrymandering and laws that suppress voting, creating an environment marked by competitive authoritarianism at the state level. The podcast argues that the GOP has increasingly embraced these tactics, indicating a systemic threat to democratic processes in America. These trends suggest a concerning alignment between U.S. politics and authoritarian influences abroad, prompting fears for the future of American democracy.
The Dangers of Authoritarian Envy
Finally, the episode conveys the sentiment that, while authoritarianism in the U.S. may take on a different form than in Hungary, it remains a significant and troubling possibility. The rhetoric surrounding authoritarianism is gaining traction, with more right-wing figures advocating for using state power to suppress progressive ideologies. The discussion reflects that the Republican Party's current trajectory poses serious risks to democracy, urging listeners to recognize and address this dilemma. There’s an acknowledgment that while admiring foreign authoritarian models, the party may continue to redefine and implement its policies, threatening the foundational tenets of American governance.
From August 18, 2021: Earlier this month, Tucker Carlson, whose nightly news show on Fox has become the most popular show in U.S. cable news history, traveled to Budapest to record a special version of his show. The centerpiece of his visit was an interview with Hungary's authoritarian leader, Viktor Orbán. But far from criticizing Orbán or questioning him on Hungary's increasing move away from liberal democracy, Carlson was all compliments, praising the fence that Hungary has built along its border and allowing Orbán to lash out against his critics at home and abroad.
Carlson is not the only one with kind words for Hungary's would-be strongman. In the past months, an increasing number of conservative media and intellectual elites have praised Hungary, as well as earlier models like Portugal under the post-World War II right-wing dictator António Salazar, for what they view as its willingness to use state power to fight for conservative social, cultural and religious values.
To discuss what this embrace of foreign authoritarianism means for the American conservative movement, Alan Rozenshtein spoke with Zack Beauchamp, a senior correspondent at Vox, who has written about the right’s embrace of Orbánism and what it means for the future of American democracy.
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