ABSTRACT
This chapter provides some basic information about the national context, summarizes some important recent political and economic developments, and places the case in the context of the international regime of particular interest in this investigation: the Convention on Long Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution of the Economic Commission of Europe. The political changes in Central and Eastern Europe beginning in 1989, which culminated within Hungary in a new regime and a fledgling democratic system, have drastically altered the context in which environmental policy and acidification efforts are developed and executed. The Hungarian economy has faced exceedingly difficult circumstances since the political changes of 1989. Reference to the 'current regime', above, suggests another reason why an investigation of a country like Hungary should be of interest. Hungary offers a particularly interesting case since the current government represents even a further shift in political fortunes during the time period of interest.
