Stunning loss of rightwing populist in Hungary carries symbolic significance for opponents of Donald Trump

For US Democrats seeking rays of light in the dark landscape of Donald Trump’s authoritarian onslaught, illumination has arrived from the unlikely source of Budapest.

Viktor Orbán’s stunning defeat in Hungary’s general election – ending 16 years of unbroken rule for his governing Fidesz party – carries symbolic and psychological significance for American politics out of all proportion to the central European country’s modest size and distance from the US.

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[–] 14 points 6 months ago (20 children)

The only good thing Hitler did was kill himself. I hope Trump will be capable of doing one good thing too. It's not a question if it will fall, but when. So far in history, fascist regimes didn't survive for long.

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  • [–] 5 points 6 months ago (5 children)

    Eh. Hitler blew his brains out because he was on the cusp of being captured and undoubtedly executed.

    Gonna take that for Trump to do the same, and even then, I doubt he would. Too full of himself.

    I'm fine with a Gaddafi or Mussolini ending.

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  • [–] 3 points 6 months ago (4 children)

    Here in the Netherlands we once ate parts of our prime minister after lynching him and his brother.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (3 children)
  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (2 children)
  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (3 children)

    USSR survived for 70+ years (and russia is back to square 1 for a at least 2 decades now). North Korea almost 80 and counting.

    So I really don't know... A European country has many checks and balances that other countries don't have.

    As for the USA, what's the ultimate check for the most powerful country in the world if their own systems don't work anymore?

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

    USSR: not fascist. North Korea: not fascist.

    A few countries had a fascist regime for a longe period, but it all ended. See this list.

    The countries with a longer period: Spain, Syria, Haiti, South Africa, Portugal, Lebanon.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago (1 child)

    I'd argue USSR was fascist in its nature, and I judge by Eco's definition.

    It was nationalistic, and it was totalitarian. Hence,, the debated term "red fascism". Of course, ideology was different on paper, but the state often operated on fascist principles. (As multinational state built on suppression and discrimination).

    That being said, USA is not a fascist state, despite the past and present movements.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago

    USA is not a fascist state

    Debatable. It's 2 political parties are right wing and alt right. They still have legal slavery. There is systematically enforced apartheid. Throughout history they committed war crimes and their economy ran on wars. To this day. They have been anti immigration since after they immigrated themselves. Their nationalistic focus is deeply anchored in its education system and culture.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (8 children)

    No, no, no. He shouldn't get the easy way out.

    I hope he lives for a long time, and that he spends that long time in prison for the things he did.

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  • [–] 4 points 6 months ago (4 children)

    Prisons are not supposed to be places of torture.

    Prisons are supposed to be rehabilitation centers. Basically hospitals with doctors to help people recover from their illnesses.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

    In what sense are they supposed to be rehabilitation centres? Prisons have always been places of punishment, and places where we can remove people we don't believe are safe in society. Rehabilitation is one of their aims, and it would be nice if it were the main one, but I don't think that is functionally true almost anywhere in the world.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (1 child)

    It's literally called the "department of corrections"

    And, yeah, loads of States basically give you an apartment and excellent resources to help with your recovery. Including the ability to commute to a university during the day.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago

    It's literally called the "department of corrections"

    And they literally manage "United States penitentiaries", so it's probably not worth playing the semantics game.

    Put it another way - is Trump really redeemable at his age? If not, what should happen to him after this is all over? I think that denying him his freedom, with or without an attempt to rehabilitate him, would be a reasonable punishment. I think he deserves worse, I just don't trust anyone to judge and administer that properly.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago (2 children)

    He already lived for a long time, and every minute he lives he does horrible stuff.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (1 child)

    Would that still be the case if sentenced and imprisoned?

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago

    Yes. He has too much power, wealth and influence. He will use it to destabilize any of his opponents and country. He will try anything to get out. He even became president a second time to avoid prosecution for sexually abusing children, among other crimes he committed, for which he just lost the first case already.

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