Lecture
William Tyler
Monday 13.07.2026
William Tyler
Hungary: A Case Study
Monday 13.07.2026
How to watch
This lecture starts on 13 July at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
To say that Hungary has had a turbulent history since 1918 would be an understatement. From 1918 to 1940 the country experienced the fall of the Austro Hungarian Empire, a short-lived communist government, and the authoritarian regime of Admiral Horthy. In 1940 it sided with Nazi Germany, culminating in a fascist government and the mass deportation of Jews. In 1945, Soviet forces arrived and communism was installed. In 1956 came the ill-fated Hungarian Revolution, followed by Kadar and “Goulash Communism.” 1989/90 saw Hungary turn again to democracy, joining the EU. Yet in 2000 Orban and “illiberal democracy” arrived. This April Orban lost power to Péter Magyar, and Hungary has hopes of democracy once more.
William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Link to William’ s blog with recommended book lists for his Lockdown lectures.