National Self and the "Other" — Hungary

National identity is a topic that has been widely discussed because of its effects on the identification and belonging of nations. National identity has caused wars, but it has also created unity, making it complex and critical to understand in a divided world.

National identity has many definitions, yet they all emphasize the same core ideas. An article published in the Oxford University Press explains that national identity is based on "a named human population sharing a historical territory, common memories and myths of origin, a mass, standardized public culture, a common economy and territorial mobility, and common legal rights and duties for all members of the collectivity" (Smith, 1992, p. 7). This definition of national identity illustrates that people within a nation share location, historical culture, moral and legal duties, resources, and legal rights. These traits all unify people in one way or another. By sharing a location or historical culture, people often have similar ancestry or religious ideals. By sharing moral/legal duties as well as legal rights, people find that they share common responsibilities and political affiliations. By sharing resources, people may capitalize on the same product or prefer a certain product more than one from a nation they do not belong to. These things allow people to connect over commonalities and unify as a nation, defining that nation by these characteristics. The journal in the Oxford University Press goes on to explain that in modern definitions of national identity,

"Gender and age retain their vitality; class and religious loyalties continue to exercise their influence; but today, professional, civic and ethnic allegiances have proliferated, involving ever larger populations across the globe. Above all, national identification has become the cultural and political norm, transcending other loyalties in scope and power" (Smith, 1992, p. 5).

National identity is constantly growing and changing, and understanding historical and modern definitions are essential. With the modernization of cultures worldwide and the increase in technology, civic and ethnic allegiances have come to the forefront of national identity. This progression of cultures forces a modern idea of national identity, portraying that as societies change, so does national identity. The modernization of national identity also reminds that it can be used as a source of power. Historically, this was evidenced by war, but more modernly, this power is shown through advancements in professional and technological realms. European countries are excellent examples of this hybrid national identity.

Hungary's national identity is particularly delicate among those in Europe. For many nations, a unifying national symbol is the first step in establishing themselves; for Hungary, this symbol is "the Holy Crown of Saint Stephen, the first king of Hungary [which] represented the conservative tradition linked with the kingdom of Hungary" (Csepeli, 1991, p. 9). This conservative symbol for Hungary is not only a way to unify the country but also a way to portray their beliefs and national identity to other nations. By depicting the Holy Crown of Saint Stephen, Hungarians are letting the rest of Europe know that they are still connected to their conservative traditions. The Holy Crown also connects Hungary to its Roman-Catholic influences, especially their effect on political life. For Hungary, national identity is also associated with common descent. An article in the International Journal of Sociology illustrates that "Hungary's rejection of immigrants and aliens was strongest [as compared to other European nations]" (Örkény, 2005, p. 10). National identity is based on unity, and one way that Hungary unifies itself is by common descent emphasized by keeping others out. This unification has increased xenophobia in Hungary, which may be seen as a negative aspect of national identity. However, it is a common defining factor for those residing within the nation. Hungarians believe that to be a unified nation, all citizens need to be truly Hungarian. This ideology reflects Hungary's beliefs of citizenship. In order to be a citizen of Hungary, one parent of the resident must also be a citizen, or a resident can apply for naturalization after living in Hungary for eight years. A resident cannot be considered a citizen just by being born in Hungary (CIA World Factbook, 2022). The extensive naturalization process and strict rules regarding citizenship reflect Hungary's xenophobic ideals. To be seen as a person contributing to Hungary's national identity, one must be truly Hungarian or have lived there for long enough to fully understand the culture, religion, politics, and social life. This ideology enforces the commonalities of Hungarian culture and keeps it from changing, which is also closely related to the idea of "significant others" and threats to national identity.

National identity and "others" are explained by Anna Trianfyllidou in an article in Ethnic and Racial Studies. Her article, "National Identity and the "Other,"" describes "significant others" and threats to national identity when it states, "Others differ from the members of the community precisely in these features, they speak a different language for instance, or they have a different dress style" (Triandfyllidou, 1998, p. 4). By her definition, "others" are any member of a nation, any member of a neighboring nation, or any member of a competing nation that differ from those within a particular nation in values, beliefs, lifestyle, or other defining traits. This description is vital in understanding threats to national identity and national pride. For Hungary, these "others" are immigrants from other nations, clarifying the country's xenophobic tendencies. Immigrants in Hungary are seen as a threat to national identity because of the recent formation of the nation's identity after the Soviet era. This new identity does not have as strong a foundation as nations whose national identity has not changed in centuries, illustrating why Hungarians want their citizens to be "true" Hungarians. The article, "Hungarian National Identity: Old and New Challenges," better describes this by stating that, "The rejection of "otherness" helps keep nationalism awake, whether it manifests against internal or immigrant minorities" (Örkény, 2005, p. 17). By rejecting immigrants and minorities, Hungary is able to solidify its national identity and pride.

Overall, national identity consists of defining traits of a nation, whether it be religion, politics, geographic region, or progression in the modern world. Such unifying characteristics allow nations to show their power and exemplify their shared beliefs. For Hungary, an important symbol, the Holy Crown of Saint Stephen, does just that. It exemplifies their conservative views and reinforces their power against "others." For Hungary, "others" consist of immigrants and minority populations. In order to show their power over these "others," they exhibit xenophobic tendencies to try and keep their nation purely Hungarian. By demonstrating their national identity, nations can stay unique and be prominent in the modern world.

References

Central Intelligence Agency. (2022). Hungary. In CIA World Factbook. Retrieved January 27, 2022 from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/hungary/

Csepeli, G. (1991). Competing patterns of National Identity in post-communist Hungary. Media, Culture & Society, 13(3), 325–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/016344391013003004

Örkény, A. (2005). Hungarian national identity: Old and new challenges. International Journal of Sociology, 35(4), 28–48. https://doi.org/10.2753/ijs0020-7659350402

Smith, A. D. (1992). National Identity and the Idea of European Unity. International Affairs, 68(1), 5-7. https://doi.org/10.2307/2620461

Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National identity and the “Other.” Ethnic and Racial Studies, 21(4), 593–612. https://doi.org/10.1080/014198798329784