Autocratic Legalism Kim Lane Scheppele Upd -

Between 2010 and 2014, Orbán’s government enacted a new constitution (the Fundamental Law), reduced the Constitutional Court’s jurisdiction over fiscal matters, slashed the retirement age for judges from 70 to 62 (dismissing nearly 300 judges at once), installed a pro-government media council, and rewrote election rules to entrench the majority. Every step was legally taken. No tanks rolled. Yet by 2014, Hungary was no longer a liberal democracy.

Once the constitutional framework is secured, autocrats use the legislature to pass a barrage of laws that target opponents and reward allies. autocratic legalism kim lane scheppele upd

Applying Scheppele’s lens today reveals three major developments: Between 2010 and 2014, Orbán’s government enacted a