Ungarische Erfahrung, deutsche Anwendung – Spinozistische Reflexionen über Macht, Erkenntnis und Autorität

In the organizer's words:

Both across Europe and globally, there is a trend for certain political forces to use increasingly similar strategies and slogans: after abortion, the fight against the "globalist" elite and "woke madness" is proclaimed, and the alleged values of family, Christianity and heterosexuality are defended in the name of a "sovereignist" side. The way in which "the migrant horde", George Soros, the Jews and Muslims, the queer and those not read as "indigenous" are made the enemy shows a certain similarity in different countries and on different sides of the political spectrum. One might think that it is exclusively about the adoption of slogans that serve to incite the disadvantaged population groups against an alleged urban elite. In fact, however, a new approach to power, knowledge and political and scientific authority is emerging. Through a deliberate application of Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony, an attempt is being made to undermine the authority of any kind of politically independent expertise, be it academically endorsed - such as that of doctors during the pandemic - or created through social recognition - such as that of artists. The expertise whose approval does not depend on the favor of politics is perceived as a threat, as it conveys patterns of identification and enables insights that have a certain potential for resistance to political narratives. The attempts to undermine these authorities should not be understood as mere agitation. Rather, they express the political aspiration to shape society, culture and language in such a way that thoughts with resistance potential cannot even be conceived.

We also perceive such attempts by various political actors* in Germany, be it through resistance to the funding of public media or artistic institutions, through the polarization of opinions on supposedly controversial topics, or through the reinterpretation of political terms such as freedom, peace, or "the" people. These attempts do not resemble the Hungarian regime by chance, but follow a strategy shaped by the Hungarian experience. It is therefore necessary to learn from the Hungarian experience: not only from the side of oppression, but also from the side of resistance.

In this series of events, academics, artists, activists and journalists who are familiar with the situation in Hungary from their own experience will speak. They will speak with Oliver Toth, a Spinozist philosopher who is intensively involved with questions of knowledge, authority and power in and with Spinoza. The aim is to gain a perspective on German political events through their reports and insights. From this perspective, we will perhaps be able to perceive seemingly harmless and independent phenomena as an expression of a threatening and systematic political change. The aim is to provide skills and tools that citizens can use to recognize the threat posed by political powers that seek to influence their thinking through cultural hegemony - both in party politics and in everyday life.

Each conversation is divided into three sections: In the first 30 minutes, the most important key data and central concepts are introduced. This is followed by a 60-minute in-depth discussion with the invited experts. After a short break, the panel will open up for an open discussion with the audience.

In English and German. (Date 7.02. in German language only)

Dates, speakers and topics:

07.02 - Dr. Melani Barlai - Prelude, the political system of Hungary

15.02 - Emese Orosz - Segregation in education

28.02 - Anna Zilahi - Environmental protection, love and care: the possibilities of individual resistance

21.03 - Tamás Fábián - Strategies for independent reporting