A decade of transformation in Hungarian economic policy: Dynamics, constraints and prospects

It is trivial to say that no country can make up for half a century of environmental neglect in five years or less. On the other hand, ignoring environmental concerns as a major component of Western partners' interest in eastward enlargement of the EU, as well as an item of self-interest, would be myopic at best. Under the circumstances a gradual but steady improvement in perceptions is likely, which will sooner or later find its way to the policy-making level. Having surveyed the debts and assets of Hungarian economic policies, two statements may conclude. First, it is clear that the stage of transition is over, i.e. tasks that used to be unlike those in EU countries have by and large been solved; if not, both problems and their solution look akin to those in the core EU. The second reflection relates to the predominant spontaneity of Hungarian evolution. In the decade under scrutiny this was more of a plus as ideologically overburdened concepts of retailoring society foundered and common sense prevailed. In the decade to come, common sense is still needed, but it will hardly be a sufficient condition for balanced and sustainable development to be orchestrated within the family of European nations.