The Impact of the Party System Under Populism on Civil Society and the Media. – A Temporal Social Network Analysis of Civil Society Media and Mass Media in Post-Communist Hungary (1990–2020) [védés előtt]

Kivonat, rövid leírás

This dissertation investigates the impact of populism on civil society and media in post-communist Hungary (1990–2020). Using a novel temporal social network analysis (tSNA) approach, it explores how interaction networks among key figures of leading Hungarian civil society and media organisations evolved. The dissertation employs an exploratory case study method, emphasizing purposive sample selection rather than representativeness. Specifically, the research examines the professional, interpersonal networks of editors-in-chief from both civil society media and mass media outlets, providing a comprehensive understanding of how populist strategies have influenced media landscapes. Eight major Hungarian organisations, both civil society media outlets and mass media outlets, were selected based on their influence on Hungarian public life. The career paths of 21 of their editors-in-chief were analysed using tSNA, focusing on their professional interactions from 1990 to 2020. This methodological approach allows for a detailed examination of the formation and dissolution of professional ties and the overall connectedness within the constructed media elite network. New scientific results The dissertation reveals several significant findings that contribute to the understanding of populism's impact on civil society and media: 1. Temporal evolution of the network: the study observes distinct phases in the evolution of the sample media elite network, with increasing cohesion before 2010 followed by rapid disintegration. This temporal shift aligns with changes in Hungarian media laws and the broader political environment, illustrating the direct impact of populist policies on civil society and the media. 2. Media network fragmentation: contrary to the expectation of increasing centralisation during the party system under populism, the study finds a disintegration within the sample network, particularly among independent and opposition-aligned chief editors. The connectedness of the media elite network sample peaked in the mid-1990s and remained high during the 2000s, but declined sharply post-2010, coinciding with the rise of populism. This fragmentation highlights the challenges faced by non-governmental media in maintaining cohesion and resisting populist strategy, with significant implications for the autonomy and effectiveness of civil society media. While civil society suggests an important strategy for resisting populist pressures, its potential proved to be insufficient in the face of Fidesz’ centrally co-ordinated populist social movement strategy. 3. Actor centralities: the analysis identifies key actors whose high centrality values reflect their pivotal roles in either supporting or resisting the populist agenda. These findings underscore the strategic importance of individual actors in shaping civil society and mass media responses to political developments. Overall, this research provides new insights into the complex interplay between populism, media, and civil society in Hungary, offering a detailed analysis of how populist governance strategies have reshaped these areas over three decades. It aligns with earlier scholarship on the subject, but sheds new light on the subject matter: it emphasises the importance of civil society and media strategies vis-à-vis populist party system developments rather than focusing directly on populist behaviours themselves. Besides these empirical insights, the dissertation also makes a few important but limited theoretical contributions in three main areas. First, with regards to populism studies, it supports the case for the strategic conceptualisation of the phenomenon. Second, it further demonstrates how social network analysis can lead to important contributions in political economy. Third, it also showcases the potential of the relationalist epistemic school of thought to produce not only empirical research results, but also actionable insights, leading to better practical strategies and policies for the public good.