The Return Of The Moral State

In the heart of Budapest, Hungary, stands Central European University (CEU), a once-thriving academic institution that now echoes with the silence of its departed students and faculty. The university, once a beacon of liberal education in Eastern Europe, now exists as a shell of its former self, its degree-granting operations forced out by Hungary's right-wing government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán nearly seven years ago. The remaining researchers and a public library keep the building from feeling entirely abandoned, but the void left by the university's exodus to Vienna is palpable.

On a recent February afternoon, I found myself in one of CEU's seminar rooms, surrounded by a group of academics who had chosen to stay in Hungary. They were a mix of those who considered it their home and those who refused to let Orbán's government dictate their academic lives. The room was filled with a sense of quiet defiance, as if the academics were determined to hold onto the values of free inquiry and intellectual freedom in the face of mounting challenges.

My talk that day focused on the concept of "illiberal and post-liberal states," exploring the idea that these regimes are often understood primarily through the lens of their negative traits—corruption, social control, fear, and prejudice. However, I argued that a more nuanced understanding of these states could be gained by examining the ideals they promote and the specific visions of human flourishing they advance. For instance, China has a clear idea of what it means to be a good Chinese citizen and is willing to use state power to realize that vision. Similarly, countries like India, Russia, Turkey, Israel, and the United States under the MAGA movement, as well as Hungary itself, can be understood through the lens of the moral frameworks they champion.

As I presented my arguments, I could sense the skepticism in the room. Many of the academics had witnessed firsthand the erosion of liberal democratic values in their own country and were understandably wary of the idea that authoritarian regimes could promote coherent moral visions. They leaned back in their chairs, arms folded, and polite laughter grew scarce. When it was time for questions, my ideas were met with headshakes and objections that were greeted with uniform nods of agreement.

Despite the challenges, the academics in the room were not deterred in their commitment to intellectual discourse. Over dinner, we rediscovered a sense of civility, and I found myself eager to revisit my argument. I began by posing some fundamental questions: Is it plausible that China has a sense of what it means for its citizens to be good people? Can authoritarian regimes truly advance specific visions of human flourishing, even if those visions differ from liberal democratic ideals?

The conversation that followed was nuanced and thoughtful, delving into the complexities of moral frameworks in illiberal states. The academics acknowledged that while liberal democracies often emphasize individual freedoms and pluralism, authoritarian regimes do indeed promote particular ideals of the good life. However, they cautioned that these moral visions often come at the cost of individual autonomy and critical thinking, stifling the very creativity and innovation that can lead to genuine human flourishing.

In Hungary, the struggle between liberal and illiberal values has become starkly evident. The forced removal of CEU from Budapest is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by academic institutions in maintaining their independence in the face of government interference. Yet, the academics who remain in the country continue to fight for the preservation of intellectual freedom and the pursuit of knowledge without fear of censorship or retribution.

As I left CEU that day, I was left to ponder the nature of moral frameworks in both liberal and illiberal states. While liberal democracies value individual freedoms and diversity of thought, authoritarian regimes often promote specific ideals of the good life, even if these ideals are at odds with those of liberal democracies. The challenge for academics and thinkers alike is to navigate this complex landscape, fostering a deeper understanding of the moral dimensions of political systems while safeguarding the principles of free inquiry and intellectual freedom.

In the end, the debate over the moral frameworks of illiberal states serves as a reminder of the enduring struggle between different visions of the good life. Whether in China, Hungary, or anywhere else, the quest for human flourishing is an ongoing conversation that demands critical engagement and thoughtful reflection. Only through such engagement can we hope to understand the complexities of moral life in an ever-changing world.