The rise of Putinism

NEW YORK CITY: When the Cold War ended, Hungary occupied a special place in the story of the revolutions of 1989. It was the first country in the Soviet orbit to abandon communism and embrace liberal democracy. Today it is again a trendsetter, becoming the first European country to denounce and distance itself (BEG ITAL)from(END ITAL) liberal democracy. It is adopting a new system and set of values that are best exemplified by Vladimir Putin’s Russia, but are finding echoes in other countries as well.

In a major speech last weekend, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban explained that his country is determined to build a new political model -- illiberal democracy.