Speaker: Kilian Spandler

Brief description: Populism has traditionally been seen as a domestic phenomenon that concerns politics within nation-states, without much consequence for international relations. However, the rise of populist leaders and parties to power in many states around the globe over the last two decades has put the international dimensions of populism into sharper focus. What does a populist foreign policy look like, and how does it shape international relations? At this IR Café, we will look at these questions with a focus on Viktor Orbán, the right-wing populist prime minister of Hungary. Since starting his second period in office in 2010, Orbán has slowly become somewhat of an idol for conservative and extremist right-wing movements in the Western world. He has also kept the EU on edge with his verbal attacks on the Brussels bureaucracy and by blocking common decisions, for example on sanctions against the Putin regime. When Russia invaded the Ukraine earlier this year, many observers expected his position at home and abroad to weaken. But is that really what happened? Based on his research, Kilian will provide insights to the Orbán phenomenon and how different IR theories can help us understand it.

The seminar will start with a short presentation by Kilian, after which you are welcome and encouraged to join in the discussion! Below are some resources if you are interested. Feel free to bring your questions and see you on 5 October!

Further Resources:

Analysis of Hungary's foreign policy challenges by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network: https://balkaninsight.com/2022/06/27/hungarys-foreign-policy-puzzle/

BBC article on Orbán's foreign policy and the former advisor who broke ranks with him: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62408368

Orbán's speech at the Conservative Political Action conference, 2022, Dallas, Texas: https://www.c-span.org/video/?522151-2/conservative-political-action-conference-hungarian-prime-minister-viktor-orban-remarks

Kilian's video on populism for Akademisk kvart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Tj_BopNKM