Mate Hajba

Director of the Free Market Foundation, which advocates economic freedom, civil rights and tolerance. He is also the author of several books promoting free markets and civic liberties. He served as the Vice President of Civic Platform, which runs anti-racist campaigns and promotes democratic values. He is interested in the relationship between the state and the individual and in the concept and history of liberty. He writes for international press on issues such as intolerance in Hungary and international relations. To promote the concept of individualism, liberty, tolerance and free market, he co-founded a youth organization named Eötvös Club.

Economy

High-Speed Rail to Riches Is Achievable in Central and Eastern Europe Through Privatization

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / June 26, 2025

There is a great transportation divide between Western and Eastern Europe. The latter is slow to catch up to the growing high-speed train network of wealthier countries, hindering cohesion efforts. Trains revolutionized the transportation of people and goods, significantly reducing travel time and costs.

Politics

It Is Time for EU Antitrust Reform

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / May 21, 2025

EU antitrust regulations hinder innovation, which is the most effective way of fighting monopolies and strengthening the EU as a global power. That is ironic since the nominal purpose of those antitrust rules is to fight monopolies, not to empower them. The European Union needs to pivot its approach to businesses to be competitive globally, maybe even to fill the growing void left by the U.S.

Politics

Herrings in Hungary: Bizarre, Satirical Take on Hungary’s New Law Attacking Writers’ Freedoms

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / May 17, 2025

Hungary is a beautiful country: homogeneous, democratic, united, and Christian. These facts are so obviously true that I do not even have to provide sources. My country also has an excellent educational system, which teaches journalists working in the booming and free media sector that sarcasm is not a good linguistic tool to use in an article. Why should I do otherwise?

Society

Liberal Pope Would Be Good for Both Europe And Africa

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / May 9, 2025

A new Pope is about to assume his office, but what once was a greatly influential position, making and breaking kingdoms, is becoming obsolete, at least in the Western world. Should a new Pope change that? The relevance of the Pope is hard to measure, but for those interested in number-crunching, several metrics are available.

Politics

Trump Wants Greenland – Should He Take Entire EU, Too?

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / January 29, 2025

Trump has shocked Europe with his bold and unrelenting desire to seize Greenland as a US territory. Still, it should come as an even greater shock how little Europe had paid attention to this crucial landmass in the stage of newly emerging global conflicts. The Arctic has not weighed heavily in international relationships. However, with the ice melting, new trade routes are opening, and rich resources are becoming more easily accessible.

Society

Autocracy Blurs Lines between Truth and Falsehood

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / January 29, 2025

If people are inclined to believe in things not supported by evidence, they are more likely to be susceptible to the lies of politicians. Disinformation, such as the spread of conspiracy theories to spread distrust among citizens, is a tool widely and effectively used by Russia and China. It is not just conspiracy theories, however, which are plaguing humankind, but a return of an unscientific way of thinking which enlightenment hoped to eradicate.

Politics

How James Bond Can Be Weapon of The West in New Cold War

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / January 28, 2025

The gap between real life and the world of film is narrowing. The James Bond franchise guided viewers through the Cold War with its over-the-top villains, and through the relatively peaceful time thereafter with more lukewarm enemies. Now, when a new soft reboot is in order, it is time to bring back tried and tested baddies: the Russians.

Politics

Trump’s Victory Should Teach Europe to Embrace Classical Liberalism

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / December 2, 2024

The election of Donald Trump as US president should not come as a surprise. As Republicans transformed themselves in the image of the once and future president, so should the Democrats have rebranded to fit the unique times and challenges of 2024, but they missed the opportunity. European politicians should pay heed.

Politics

Fighting Back against Populist Scaremongering on Immigration and Gender

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / October 9, 2024

Populist parties raise important questions but offer terrible answers, a weakness others should exploit. Populism is by no means a new phenomenon, but recent years have seen a clear rise in parties turning to a more authoritarian, populist strategy of winning over voters. Now, the populist movement has managed to establish a strong position in Europe, and although its popularity is not currently rising, it is not diminishing either.

Politics

Regulators Are Blocking Access to Essential Medication

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / October 9, 2024

When it comes to healthcare and access to medication, regulators need to get out of the way. There is an ongoing debate about cannabis liberalization, but there is another drug which needs to be made more readily available: epinephrine, an essential medicine against severe allergic reactions. Epinephrine, a life-saving medicine, is not an over-the-counter drug. It requires a prescription, given to those who have known allergies. This needs to change.