Mate Hajba

Director of the Free Market Foundation, which advocates economic freedom, civil rights and tolerance. He is also 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.

Publications, Think Tank News

How to Counter Antisemitism?

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / March 30, 2021

Fake news, disinformation, conspiracy theories, antisemitism. Today, when reaching a large audience, easier than ever free access to information comes with a price. Political extremities, populists, fanatics, and mailous actors can polarize people to their own gains using the above mentioned methods.

Society

Liberal Takeaways from Harry and Meghan’s Interview

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / March 28, 2021

With the younger generation supporting the couple and the older generations the Palace, everyone has an opinion on the matter. Pundits were eager to take sides and show their own views. But what is the truth?

Society

Beneath It All in Hungary Is Political Corruption

BY Mate Hajba, Free Market Foundation AND Liberal Voices Syndicated / January 30, 2021

Hungary is the black sheep of the European Union. Its contrarian agenda offends the common opinion of other member states. Just recently, the Hungarian government not only threatened to veto the EU recovery budget but also voiced its opposition to the Gender Action Plan, a foreign policy initiative to buttress the rights of women, girls […]

Politics

Hungarian MEPs Down the Drain

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / December 22, 2020

Hungary had a scandal-ridden month in the EU. As the new EU budget is connected to rule of law, Hungary fought it tooth and nail, claiming it’s not about corruption but Soros and immigrants.

Society

10 Books to Read During Holidays

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / December 22, 2020

While most of the world cooped in here are some recommendations for liberals (even though the books might not be) as to what to read during the holidays.

Society

Christmas Presents, Tradition, Politics

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / December 21, 2020

Until the 19th century, the birth of Jesus was nothing more than a strictly religious holiday. Two centuries ago, the industrial revolution brought mass production, the still lasting exponential growth of wealth, health, population, and standards.

Review #13

REVIEW #13: Understanding the Weaponization of (Dis-)Information in Present-Day CEE [Afterword]

BY Daniela Oberstein, Mate Hajba AND 4liberty.eu / October 9, 2020

“Fake news!” The phrase has been thrown about so much lately that it lost most of its meaning and gravitas. But what does it actually mean? One definition explains it as “deliberately presenting false information as news” and differentiates it as a subset of disinformation.

Importance of Human Relations during Pandemic: Lessons <i>Friends</i> TV Series Taught Us

Society

Importance of Human Relations during Pandemic: Lessons Friends TV Series Taught Us

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / September 16, 2020

The popularity of the Friends TV series couldn\'t be illustrated better than by looking at Netflix statistics, according to which it is still one of the most popular content. In the times of social isolation and distancing imposed by COVID-19, the lessons the sit-com teaches us can provide some welcome solace.

Society

Winning at All Costs? On Value of Honesty

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / September 15, 2020

Have you ever been told you cannot put a price on peace, love, etc.? It’s a lie. Everything has a price, albeit not necessary a monetary one. Failing to understand this usually leads to a failure in securing one\'s goals. This is why we need to talk about the price of victory.

Society

What Were You Thinking? Future of Think Tanks

BY Mate Hajba AND Free Market Foundation / September 15, 2020

“[...] [T]hink but not make thoughts your aim”, to quote Kipling. Thinking is important, but if it is not followed by action, ideas will forever wander aimlessly in the cerebral labyrinth of neuron paths. Why then do we still have think tanks and not more do tanks?