Accomplices Without Perpetrators: What Do Economists Have to Do with Transitional Justice in Hungary?

Abstract

Abstract The paper begins with the unease one feels witnessing the pride taken by the former agents in serving the communist secret police in Hungary. In retrospect, many of them refuse to regard themselves as perpetrators or, at least, accomplices, and prefer the role of the victim or even that of the hero. In analysing the roots of moral relativism, first the phenomenon of ‘fast forgiving’ will be discussed. Then, turning to the profession of economists, it will be shown how profoundly this métier, normally disregarded in studying transitional justice, contributed to making collaboration with the old regime a legitimate mode of behaviour. Finally, after introducing the term ‘academic remembering’, the paper will ask whether that contribution has reached its end by now.