A systematic analysis of different forms of procedural injustice associated with reindustrialization in Hungary: A case study on the lithium-ion battery industry

Abstract

Following the global financial crisis in 2008–2009 and the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic, many developed economies pursued reindustrialization. Although governments in Western countries are striving to boost industrial production by promoting innovative industries, the location of manufacturing plants poses a challenge in post-industrial societies. For example, recognizing the opportunities in the global electric vehicle revolution, the Hungarian government has sought to attract lithium-ion battery manufacturing companies and establish a national battery industry with a globally significant production capacity. Consequently, Hungary is experiencing a rapid expansion of large-scale battery factories and related industrial facilities. However, concerns regarding the environmental, health, and social impacts of battery production—including the potential release of toxic chemicals and excessive use of natural resources—have incited public opposition. In the communities accommodating or assigned to accommodate battery factories, residents have increasingly expressed dissatisfaction, and civil society organizations (CSOs) have protested against the government's strategy. This has generated significant conflict between local communities and CSOs on one side, and authorities and local governments on the other. This study explores the forms of conflict between these actors and the procedural injustices that communities and CSOs perceive on the part of those in positions of power. The analysis includes a review of major online news outlets and interviews with representatives of CSOs and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The results show that procedural injustice is an issue in reindustrialization, especially in the development of the battery industry; however, there are also indications of changes.