ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Hungary. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Hungary. In 2000, Hungary celebrated a millennium of statehood. Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared the end of Hungary's post-Communist transition when output and real wages reached 1989 levels. Hungary is a multiparty, parliamentary democracy with legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. Citizens age 18 and older enjoy universal suffrage and can change their government democratically. Post-Communist elections in Hungary have been free and fair. In June 2000, parliament elected Ference Madl president in a third round of voting. Independent media thrive in Hungary, but oversight of state television and radio remains a controversial issue.
