TEN YEARS AFTER 1989

In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, S. 13-14

Abstract

IN THIS ARTICLE THE AUTHOR, WHO GREW UP IN HUNGARY AND LIVED THERE UNTIL SHE WAS 50 YEARS OLD, EXPLORES WHAT THE PAST 10 YEARS HAVE BROUGHT TO HUNGARY AND OTHER FORMERLY COMMUNIST COUNTRIES. SHE ARGUES THAT ALTHOUGH THE UNRAVELING OF COMMUNISM HAS NOT BROUGHT ECONOMIC SECURITY TO THE PEOPLE OF THE FORMERLY COMMUNIST COUNTRIES, IT HAS BROUGHT CENTRAL EUROPE A DEMOCRATICALLY FUNCTIONING POLITICAL SYSTEM. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY ROAD, THE PEOPLE OF CENTRAL EUROPE ARE NOW ENJOYING FREEDOMS THAT THEY NEVER KNEW BEFORE; THEY ARE ABLE TO BOTH SPEAK AND ACT AS THEY WISH. AND THIS IS THE REALIZATION OF A DREAM FOR MANY.