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About George Schöpflin

György Schöpflin is a member of the European parliament for Fidesz (Hungarian Civic Union). He was previously Jean Monnet professor of politics at University College London. His website is here

Articles by George Schöpflin

Monday 6th February

How to understand Hungary

George Schöpflin, 6 February 2012

The portrayal of Hungary and its current government by the international media and external actors is one-sided and lacks context, says the academic and Fidesz member of the European parliament, György Schöpflin. The effects are felt within the country, and raise deeper questions about the European Union and its underlying values.

Tuesday 16th December

The dangerous politics of market radicalism

George Schöpflin, 16 December 2008

The crisis of 2008 is a consequence of the pervasive impact of market-driven policy. A new idea of the state is needed

Monday 23rd June

Democracy and referenda: a rejoinder to Gisela Stuart

George Schöpflin, 23 June 2008

Modern European history shows why representative democracy is better than direct

Monday 16th June

The referendum: populism vs democracy

George Schöpflin, 16 June 2008

The idea of a referendum as instrument of the people's will belongs to a pre-democratic era

Wednesday 27th February

The new Russia: a model state

George Schöpflin, 27 February 2008

Vladimir Putin's legacy to his successor as Russia's president is a form of authoritarian governance that appeals far beyond its borders

Monday 23rd July

Turkey’s crisis and the European Union

George Schöpflin, 23 July 2007

The election result is decisive, but Turkey remains in the grip of crisis

Tuesday 10th July

European Union: after the reform treaty

George Schöpflin, 10 July 2007

The new European Union accord achieves compromise at the cost of unresolved division over the union's democratic legitimacy

Wednesday 2nd May

Russia's reinvented empire

George Schöpflin, 2 May 2007

The combination of energy power and political ambition is creating a new political reality in Moscow, says George Schöpflin.

Friday 23rd March

The European Union's troubled birthday

George Schöpflin, 23 March 2007

The European Union is marking its half-century in celebration and self-doubt. It is a historic achievement, says George Schöpflin, but the EU now faces two great challenges: renewing its legitimacy, and facing globalisation.

Tuesday 14th November

Hungary's cold civil war

George Schöpflin, 14 November 2006

Hungary's 1956 anniversary season has been dominated by bitter polarisation. Unless imaginative steps are taken to restore political legitimacy, it could get even worse, says George Schöpflin.

Thursday 21st September

Hungary: country without consequences

George Schöpflin, 21 September 2006

The political furore in Hungary over the prime minister's admission of lying to citizens is payback for problems unresolved after the communist era, says George Schöpflin.

Monday 7th August

Israel-Lebanon: a battle over modernity

George Schöpflin, 7 August 2006

The deep agenda of Israel's assault is to maintain the country's monopoly of modernity in the middle east. But its ending is inexorable and with it Israel's exceptional status in the region, says George Schöpflin.

Sunday 9th July