Castles of Illiberal Thought. The Rise and Role of Government-Organised Non-Governmental Organisations in Academic Contexts
By Etienne Hanelt. Academic freedom has been significantly curtailed in recent years, albeit in Hungary, not the EU at large. The Hungarian government has done this both through pressure on academic institutions on the one hand and the creation and expansion of illiberal Government-Organised Non-Governmental Organisations (GONGOs). This article looks at Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), an Orbán-linked “think tank” and academy for nurturing illiberal elites. “Experts” from these institutes are often invited in Hungarian public television to present, elaborate and support the government’s positions.


