The Death of Neoliberalism or a Mere Camouflage? Polanyian Countermovement in Hungary & Poland

Abstract

Abstract This article aims to assess the causes of the recent emergence of Polanyian countermovement in Hungary and Poland and their attitudes towards neoliberal orthodoxy prevailing in post-1989 socioeconomic development. This article is structured as follows. Firstly, we approximate the fundaments of neoliberal thinking through the inner workings of Vanberg and Hayek. Secondly, we incorporate the Polanyian framework, focusing primarily on the concept of a countermovement. Lastly, we assess the development of neoliberal features in the political economy of Hungary and Poland, trying to position the emergence of Fidesz and Prawo i Sprawiedliwość (Law and Justice, PiS) into this development. We argue that both countermovements emerged as a result of general discontent with neoliberal development. Whilst the political economy of Orbán’s regime remains critical of neoliberalism mainly in the rhetoric, camouflaging neoliberal orthodoxy with developmental rhetoric, the conservative governments in Poland made a substantial shift from the neoliberal orthodoxy following their rise to power in 2015.