Common Sense Society | Budapest, Hungary

Future of Europe Debate: Are We Now Too Poor to Save the Planet? (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Sat, 04 May 2013 20:23:29 +0000

Post 2020 climate and energy policy during the Eurozone crisis.Can Europe afford to go for deep decarbonization in the absence of a comprehensive global agreement? Is a continuous push for renewable energy affordable? Will a focus on renewable energy, rather than cheap energy, stunt economic growth? Should Europe have new nuclear construction? If yes, what should be done to make it happen? What are Hungary’s specific energy challenges and opportunities to diversify its energy sources? Do we need specific targets for renewable energy at EU level or is a European CO2 target enough?

Participants: Péter Kaderják is the director of the Regional Centre for Energy Policy Research (REKK) and lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at the Corvinus University Budapest. His main field of research includes environmental economics, energy economics, regulation and modeling of network industries. Before his position at REKK, he was president of the Hungarian Energy Office and chairman of the Energy Regulators Regional Association.

The event was held in Hungarian with English translation, moderated by journalist, József Péter Martin.

The debate was opened by Tamás Szűcs, the Head of the European Commission Representation in Hungary.

The event was co-hosted by the European Commission Representation in Hungary.

Book Discussion of George Orwell’s 1984 (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:00:43 +0000

A lively discussion of George Orwell’s book, 1984 moderated by Dr. Tibor Mándi (ELTE).

Eric Arthur Blair (1903 –1950) known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist, political writer and journalist. He was born in British India, raised in England, served as an imperial policemen in Burma, and lived in the poorest parts of London and Paris searching for inspiration. Orwell wrote novels and books inspired by personal experiences from the Spanish Civil War and World War II, and terms like Orwellian, thoughtcrime, Thought Police and Big Brother entered the language as his legacy. His novels, like Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four had a huge cultural impact worldwide and were adapted in film, radio, television and stage.

This event was for CSS members only.

Screening of “Debtocracy” (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 18:00:09 +0000

CSS hosted a film screening and discussion of Debtocracy, a documentary film by Katerina Kitidi and Aris Hatzistefanou about the causes of the Greek debt crisis in 2010.

What was the role of the Greek government, the IMF and the European Central Bank or the population of Greece in the formation of the current situation? What does the case of Greece and Cyprus teach us? The debt crisis from a Greek point of view and a discussion about possible future solutions to the crisis.

This event was for CSS members only.

Europe Debate: Is the EU a Welfare-, Work-, or Social Investment-Based Community? (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:00:17 +0000

What are legitimate social policy objectives in times of prolonged economic crisis and enforced fiscal austerity? Is debt management a realistic priority in an aging society? Are the goals of the National Social Inclusion Strategy, the EU2020 and the European Commission’s Social Investment Pakcage consistent regarding social exclusion? Ever-increasing emphasis is put on reducing inequalities, is this the case in Hungary too?

Participants:

Zsuzsa Ferge is an economist, having worked in the field of social statistics, sociology, and social policy. Her main fields of interest in research and teaching have been social structure, social inequalities, education, social policy, poverty, and the social impact of the transition. She founded the first department of social policy in Hungary in 1989 and became a Professor Emeritus at Eötvös University in 2001. She is a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, of the European Academy, and the European Academy of Yuste, and has a honorary degree from Edinburgh University. She has published about 15 books and 300 papers.

Liliána Zúgó is the Economic Semester Officer at the Representation of the European Commission contributing to the assessment of the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy in Hungary. Liliána is an economist and a lawyer. Liliána studied International Management, Finance and Business Administration, and Law, and has a wealth of experience in finance, taxation and economic governance. She joined the Representation of the European Commission in 2013.

Moderated by Antónia Mészáros.

The event was held in Hungarian with English translation.

JÓLÉTI, MUNKAALAPÚ VAGY TÁRSADALMI BEFEKTETÉSBEN ÉRDEKELT KÖZÖSSÉG AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ?

Milyen legitim célokat követhet a szociális politika az elhúzódó gazdasági válság és a kikényszerített fiskális megszorítások közepette? Reális prioritás az adóságkezelés egy öregedő társadalomban? Összhangban van-e a társadalmi kirekesztés ügyében a Nemzeti Társadalmi Felzárkózási Stratégia, az EU 2020 célok és az új EU „társadalmi beruházási csomag”? A világban mind nagyobb a hangsúly az egyenlőtlenségek csökkentésén, hogy áll a kérdés nálunk?

Résztvevők:

Ferge Zsuzsa közgazdaságtudományi diplomája mellett a statisztika, szociológia, szociálpolitika terén működött. Fő érdeklődési, kutatási és tanítási területei a társadalmi struktúra, társadalmi egyenlőtlenségek, oktatás-nevelés, szociál- és társadalompolitika, szegénység, az átalakulás társadalmi hatásai. 1988 és 1996 között az Eötvös Lóránd Tudományegyetem, Szociológiai és Szociálpolitikai Intézet, Szociálpolitika Tanszék vezetője, 2001-től Professor Emeritus. Tagja a Magyar Tudományos Akadémiának, az Európa Akadémiának, a European Academy of Yuste-nak, valamint az Edinburgh-i Egyetem díszdoktora. Számos civil szervezet alapítója, tagja, vezetője volt, munkásságát díjjazták Széchenyi-díjjal és a Magyar Köztársasági Érdemrend Középkeresztje kitüntetésssel is. Mintegy 15 könyv és 300 tanulmány szerzője.

Zúgó Liliána az Európai Bizottság Magyarországi Képviseletének tiszviselője. Gazdasági elemzőként járul hozzá a Gazdasági Szemeszter és az Európa 2020 Stratégia végrehajtásához és értékeléséhez. Nagy tapasztalttal rendelkezik a pénzügyek, adózás és a gazdasági kormányzás területén. Nemzetközi gazdálkodás, pénzügyi és jogi diplomával rendelkezik.

A rendezvény magyar nyelven, angol tolmácsolással került megrendezésre Mészáros Antónia moderálásával.

Higher Education Debate (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 18:00:27 +0000

CSS hosted a public debate on the resolution: “This House believes that higher education is a privilege, not a right.” For decades in Hungary, tuition-free higher education has been the normal experience for millions of students. At the same time universities are severely underfunded, professors are underpaid, and the quality of university education in most fields is barely competitive on the European level. What are the pros and cons of having tuition fees? Are students entitled to receive state-funded education or should they be expected to invest their own money in learning?

Motion:

“This House believes that higher education is a privilege, not a right.”

Arguing the Affirmative:
Katka Cseh: International Coordinator at Association of Liberal Students (LiFE), medical student
Zoltán Kész: CSS Pannonius Fellow, co-founder of Free Market Foundation

Arguing Against:
Zsófia Murányi: Summer Leadership Academy alumna, Vice President of the Corvinus Debate Society
József Berács: Professor at Corvinus University and Executive Director of the Center for International Higher Education Studies

Moderator:
Dóra Polgár: Summer Leadership Academy alumna, student at Corvinus University

Proponents of the motion, who began the debate with a majority of votes, started by affirming that in a democratic system there is an obvious requirement for providing a minimum degree of primary and secondary education. But they drew a distinction between those social services and higher education, which belongs to the realm of private property rights so it has to be left to the market. Higher education should be made more accessible and affordable, supporters of the motion argued, through the competitive influences of the market.

The side arguing against the motion explained that the right to knowledge has been a powerful and steady force throughout history, resulting in great positive change. That right has steadily expanded, from primary school in the 19^th century to secondary school in the 20^th, and should include higher education in the 21^st century.

How did the panelists treat the morality of the motion? The defenders of the motion reminded the audience that the world is unfair, and that an over-broad right to higher education cannot be justified simply with an appeal to emotion. Opponents of the motion decried the idea of denying anyone the ability to develop critical reasoning skills. Opponents of the motion also argued that the social mobility, ingenuity, and training that are so essential to a successful free market are all products of higher education. Defenders of the motion replied to this charge by pointing out that the state does not have to be the one to provide this service; free people can form and honor contracts to secure goods and services, of which higher education is a type. For the opponents of the motion, higher education belongs to the social contract as one of those essential duties of government.

Concerning the issue of financing, defenders of the motion argued that the existing system in many European countries is unsustainable and only a free market for higher education – one that includes mobility and autonomy – can avoid economic catastrophe. The opposition called to mind the huge problems of public management in most Western countries, either with a free higher education or with a liberal model; these policies are imperfect but must be tolerated until a more efficient system emerges. Still, the side against the motion said that it was a matter of public good and investing in a proactive policy is worth it for the state. Defenders of the motion counseled realism, saying that if the government cannot provide a service efficiently or affordably, it should not continue to try to provide that service.

The side defending the motion explained that in order to preserve the quality of education, the system must be assessable. A state-run higher education system fails to ensure the requisite performance standards, preserve teacher quality, or provide desired results. The side against the motion agreed that there is a discipline problem in the current system, but that this is not a principled reason to argue against state-run education per se. The affirmative side repeated its claim that more competition could ensure a higher quality of education, but the negative side replied that such a model would leave out many people, thus violating the purported right to education.

In conclusion, the side arguing in the affirmative said that the system needs essential changes and that during a crisis some rights can turn into privileges. The side arguing in the negative concluded saying that there are some inalienable rights and that higher education – as a source of social mobility, citizenship and independency – is one of them.

After the debate the side arguing against the motion won the vote count.

Photos coming soon!

Chief Justice Paczolay on the Role of the Constitutional Court in Hungary

CSS Budapest — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:00:43 +0000

One year has passed since Hungary’s new Basic Law (Constitution) entered into effect. Since then, a recent landmark decision by the Constitutional Court has promised a check on the legislative power and charted a way forward for Hungary’s constitutional order. What are the basic principles behind the Court’s decisions? What is the state of separation of powers in Hungary? And what lies ahead as we enter a new legislative year with foreseeable additional amendments to the Basic Law? Hungarian Constitutional Court Chief Justice Péter Paczolay addressed these issues at the first meeting of the Common Sense Society in 2013. The event was hosted by CSS President Marion Smith. Chatham House Rule applied.

Memory, History, and Extremism (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:00:06 +0000

What are the differences between patriotism, nationalism, and extremism? What is the proper place of historical remembrance and respect for national heritage in a post-Communist era? CSS President Marion Smith hosted a distinguished panel of Iván Zoltán Dénes (István Bibó Center), Ferenc Laczó (Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Germany) and Miklós Zeidler (ELTE University, Budapest) for a lively discussion of Hungarian history and Hungarian national identity in the 21st century. Scroll down to read a summary of the event.

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Below are summary arguments of the featured panelists:

Iván Zoltán Dénes, of the István Bibó Center, highlighted the absence of a vibrant political community and civic dialogue in Hungary. Hungary remains a country struggling with unprocessed traumas, which hang over the national consciousness like a cloud. Dénes believes there is a need for more frequent, respectful debate and a widespread renewal of healthy self-confidence. While shunning a sense of national superiority, Hungarians (and their leaders in government) should take up a calm and confident self-understanding, which includes resolving memories of the past. Nationalist extremism is a reaction to Hungary’s perceived compromising to the European model and erosions of national sovereignty. The best thing Hungarians could do to address the problem of extremism, Dénes suggested, is to forsake the national habit of self-victimization and deal with the real problems facing the country today.

Miklós Zeidler, of Hungary’s ELTE University, explained how extremism is a kind of political communication used by certain political groups. It uses the threat of force and the practice of discrimination while also creating new political identities among its followers. During times of crisis, extremist elements grow stronger. They are typically anti-liberal, anti-Semitic, and anti-capitalistic. Zeidler differentiated between a patriot, defined as someone loyal to their country and, therefore, who seeks greater inclusion and defense, and a nationalist, defined as someone loyal to a nation, which is more exclusive and aggressive.

Ferenc Laczó, of the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Germany, argued that there has been no political consensus related to historical discourse in Hungary. He is optimistic, however, because now with outrageous historical interpretations and xenophobic statements gaining media attention, we can see some consensus emerging among the main political parties against extremists. As the current Fidesz-KDNP government is trying to shape Hungarian national memory—as past governments have also done—historical episodes and national holidays are overly politicized. Laczó argued that historical materials should instead focus on individual acts of heroism and tales of bravery, rather than merely the history of the state as such.

–Zoltán Kész is the Pannonius Fellow for Common Sense Budapest.

Mix and Mingle with Leonard Leo, Executive VP of The Federalist Society (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:30:52 +0000

The event was an opportunity for CSS members and alumni of the Summer Leadership Academy to get to know one of our long-time partner organizations, The Federalist Society through its Executive Vice-President, Leonard Leo.

Bio: Leonard Leo has played an active role in both public diplomacy and politics. He has been appointed by President George W. Bush as well as the United States Senate to three terms to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, where he is presently serving in his second term as chairman. He has been a US Delegate to the UN Council and UN Commission on Human Rights as well as the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe and World Health Assembly of the WHO. He also has served as an observer at the World Intellectual Property Organization and as a member of the US National Commission to UNESCO.

While on leave from the Federalist Society, Mr. Leo organized the outside coalition efforts in support of the Roberts and Alito U.S. Supreme Court confirmations in 2005-2006, and, in 2004, was the Bush-Cheney Presidential Campaign’s Catholic Strategist. He also served as National Co-Chairman of Catholic Outreach for the Republican National Committee. He is active in a number of Catholic organizations, serving as a founding board member of the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast and a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Mr. Leo was the recipient of the 2009 Bradley Prize, along with the other founders and directors of the Federalist Society, for his work and efforts in advancing freedom and the rule of law through the organization. He is the co-editor of Presidential Leadership: Rating the Best and the Worst in the White House (Simon & Schuster, 2004), as well as the author of opinion editorials in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post, among other publications.

Mr. Leo holds degrees from Cornell University and Cornell Law School. He presently resides in northern Virginia, where he and his wife Sally have raised their seven children.

This event is for members only. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

RSVP Online:

DIP: Discussion with the British Ambassador (event archive)

CSS Budapest — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 21:32:39 +0000

Her Majesty’s Ambassador Jonathan Knott was the special guest of Common Sense Society’s (CSS) Diplomatic Discussion event series. Moderated by CSS’s President Marion Smith the discussion focused on the upcoming Budapest Conference on Cyberspace, the recent London Olympic and Paralympic Games, current events around the world as well as the Ambassador’s plans and goals in Hungary.

In the questions and answers session Ambassador Knott shared details with the audience on his colorful diplomatic career and his positive experiences in Hungary and Hungarian people. Following the hour-long discussion, the Ambassador met and talked to university students and Hungarian political scientists.

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Debate: Should the State Promote Virtue? (event archive)

css — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 18:00:42 +0000

Should government be neutral when it comes to matters of public morality? Is state support of a particular interpretation of the “good life” oppressive? Is public teaching of a moral code indoctrination? CSS held an exclusive screening of a remarkable debate between Roger Scruton (Oxford University) and Roger Pilon (Cato Institute) recorded at the July CSS Summer Leadership Academy. The screening continued with a live moderated debate, with audience participation. Hosted by CSS President Marion Smith.

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