The new Hungarian middle class?

Abstract

According to a widely held view, a broad and strong middle class is a criterion for social stability and a decisive force for democratization. This paper first examines this normative concept of the middle class before investigating how the situation of the middle class changed in Hungary after the regime change and how broad and strong it is today. Finally, we examine to what extent today’s Hungarian middle class can be regarded as a pillar of democracy and an engine of democratization.