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Media Credibility and Crisis in Hungary
Politics
Media Credibility and Crisis in Hungary
In Hungary, FIDESZ-KDNP has been ruling the country with a two-thirds constitutional majority since 2010, now for 15 years. Under Orbán’s regime, there is a particular focus on the country’s media landscape and the crisis of its credibility. It is no exaggeration to state that the public media is effectively under political control and has lost its legitimacy.
Origin of Economic Growth Lies in Culture of Cooperation: On Work of Newly Awarded Nobel Laureate Joel Mokyr
Economy
Origin of Economic Growth Lies in Culture of Cooperation: On Work of Newly Awarded Nobel Laureate Joel Mokyr
Economists have been fascinated by the question of the origins of prosperity since the very beginning of their discipline. Today, we know much more about it than Adam Smith did 250 years ago when he wrote The Wealth of Nations. In the mid-20th century, economist Robert Solow developed a model explaining economic growth through capital accumulation and population growth.
European Union Is Getting Innovation Wrong
Economy
European Union Is Getting Innovation Wrong
I recently attended a discussion on Europe’s competitiveness. There was unanimous agreement that we are lagging behind in all applied technologies—perhaps with the sole exception of the pharmaceutical industry. The reflexive response from the participants was: “We’ve created a fund for that.” Too few startups? Create a startup fund.Weak AI performance? An AI innovation fund!
Competition in Healthcare Makes Sense
Economy
Competition in Healthcare Makes Sense
“Competition is a discovery procedure that enables us to adapt to new circumstances. It is through further competition, not through agreement, that we gradually increase our efficiency.” This statement by economist F.A. Hayek best captures the essence of competition. Competition constantly separates the efficient from the inefficient. The invisible hand of the market is, in fact, the visible hand of the customer.
Replacing The Chair of Bulgarian Statistics Directly Undermines Institution’s Independence
Politics
Replacing The Chair of Bulgarian Statistics Directly Undermines Institution’s Independence
After the summer recess, the Bulgarian Parliament rushed to change the rules for electing the chair of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). However, under the pretext of improving independence, this is simply an attempt to remove an inconvenient director who refuses to comply with the demands of political parties and institutions, even when they are contrary to the legislation and principles on which the statistical institute is based.
Rabbit as Element of Judicial Independence
Society
Rabbit as Element of Judicial Independence
This week, it became clear[1] that hundreds of administrative judges received stuffed rabbits upon taking office. Some may say, ‘So what? It is a harmless gesture. However, such an act is not merely infantile. It: on the one hand, takes away from the judge (or at least some of the administrative judges) the human dignity […]
It Is Time To Freeze Public Sector Wages in Bulgaria
Economy
It Is Time To Freeze Public Sector Wages in Bulgaria
One of the recommendations of last week\'s IMF mission in Bulgaria is to \"cool down wage growth in the public sector.\" This is not the first time that the IME has commented on the accumulation of risks to fiscal stability as a result of ill-considered decisions to increase spending, and in particular wages in the defense and security sectors over the past year.
What Will George Clooney Be Doing in Poland?
Think Tank News
What Will George Clooney Be Doing in Poland?
George Clooney is coming to Poland for the first time to the Freedom Games, festival of ideas in Łódź, taking place 24–26 October 2025. Clooney will take part in a special event: a one-hour conversation that I will have the pleasure of hosting. There will be no broadcast, livestream, or recording of the discussion. The only chance to see the two-time Oscar winner in person is to purchase one of the fast-selling tickets.
Missing Half of History – Women Return to History
Society
Missing Half of History – Women Return to History
Rulers, thinkers, politicians, warriors — the traditional historical narrative presented in textbooks, lectures, or museum exhibitions is, for the most part, a story about men. But journalist and activist Anna Kowalczyk asks an important question: What happens if we change our perspective?