This thesis examines democratic innovations in Hungary, a country governed by Fidesz, an illiberal and populist party since 2010. Democratic innovations aim to engage citizens in the political decision-making process. The thesis analyses and compares two democratic innovations: the National Consultation, first organised by Fidesz in 2005, and the Citizens’ Assembly, first organised by the liberal opposition in Budapest in 2020. The aim of this thesis is to examine how the quality of democratic innovations is influenced by their organizers and the increasingly authoritarian political context of Hungary. Previous research has analysed both innovations in depth but has not systematically compared the two processes.  This thesis primarily uses official reports on both innovations, supplemented by secondary data from semi-structured elite interviews conducted with Hungarian politicians in 2020. The study's results indicate that the quality of the democratic innovations analysed is influenced by the ideology and broader political goals of the organisers, institutionalisation, and the dynamics of the illiberal state apparatus. It is noteworthy that the National Consultation lost its democratic and deliberative character after Fidesz came to power in 2010. Although the quality of the Citizens' Assembly organized by the opposition parties was affected to a lower extent by the seemingly unfavourable political context, the National Consultation and the politics of Fidesz have also negatively affected other practices of the opposition.

Declining fertility rates are an increasingly important topic in today’s Europe. Fertility rates play a significant role in sustaining a stable population and ensuring economic growth and innovation. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate the effectiveness of CSOK, a Hungarian housing policy specifically aimed at increasing fertility rates. The research relies on theories such as Becker’s new home economics theory, Quantity-quality trade-off theory, and Willis’s economic theory of family. The study of housing prices and fertility is also provided to understand the relationship between housing and fertility better. The benchmark country for this thesis is Hungary. Using the Synthetic Control Method (SCM), we construct a synthetic Hungary to match pretreatment outcomes closely. The findings of this thesis show that the policy has no positive effect on fertility rates and is inefficient in spending government resources. The study highlights the significance of governmental trust, emphasizing the importance of stable economic conditions and a family-friendly environment to effectively increase fertility rates.

This thesis is a narrative and analytical history of the Hungarian air service. It follows its development from the Allied intervention of 1919 through the end of the Second World War. Denied an air force by the Treaty of Trianon, Hungarian airmen determined to thwart the inspection system and preserve national air power. The prohibition against military aviation persisted after the Commission was withdrawn, and through Hungarian diplomatic efforts, a relationship was established with Italy that included substantial assistance to the clandestine Hungarian air service. This low-grade arms build-up continued through the 1930s, during which there was a robust discussion about air power theory and the nature of future aerial warfare in Magyar Katonai Szemle [Hungarian Military Review]. After the rise of Hitler, Germany offered arms credits and support for Hungary’s obsession with regaining the territory lost in the post-war settlement. The air service grew mainly through imported aeroplanes, the purchase of which ceased to be secret after the Little Entente recognised Hungary’s equality of arms. The Hungarian air force became independent in 1939, and enjoyed public acclaim after decisive air-to-air victories over Slovak pilots during the occupation of Upper Hungary. The General Staff never accepted its autonomy, however, and succeeded in reclaiming control of the air force in 1941. After Hungary joined the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, the air force provided air defence and interdiction in support of the Rapid Corps. Its mounting losses were made good by German aeroplanes, some of which were produced in Hungarian factories. As the Allied bombing campaign against Hungary intensified in 1944, most of its aircraft were devoted to homeland defence. The force ceased to exist as a true national service after the German-led coup in October 1944, but continued a fighting withdrawal to the west until captured by American forces.

The purpose of this thesis is to document and analyze my projection design for a new dance piece, "VŰ", directed by Angelus Iván and staged at Trafó in Budapest, Hungary. Included is an account of the design process, the concept and projection development described scene by scene, execution, performance and evaluation. The paper ends with reflections on the relatively new field of image projections, and my professional goals in scenic design.

The thesis is focused on cruises of Austrian and Austro-Hungarian navy's ships in remote areas. These cruises called "Missionsreisen" were undertaken to train the crews in different conditions, but staffs were correcting maps, looking into local markets and weather conditions as well and they might have been able to carry out more scientific research. The first that big cruise was the expedition of frigate Novara. On the base of research consisting of studying the reports written by commanders of various ships is possible to say that this expedition was very different from the later cruises. Apart from general conditions on the ships, the differences were in the purpose of cruises or scientific benefits. Novara's expedition was focused on science much more than later missions for which were exploring local conditions in terms of navigation and economy the most important or almost the only ones fields of research. The ships' commanders had to see to the training of crews and the economy of cruises, especially in terms of consummation of coal. Tens of ships were sent to these missions, the investments into them were most likely reasonable. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

This thesis deals with the morganatic marriage of archdukess Eleonora and naval officer Alfons von Kloss in 1913, which was the first marriage of a Habsburg archdukess with a member of lower nobility. It focuses mainly on the analysis of the Imperial Austrian Family Statute and moganatic marriages of the Habsburg-Lorraine family. Furthermore, it deals with the Habsburgs of Austria-Teschen and the analysis of the Eleonora's marriage. The aim of the thesis is to present the circumstances and the consequences of this morganatic marriage. Key words: Habsburg Dynasty, Austria-Hungary, morganatic marriage, Francis Joseph I

The work presents the life of both saints Zdislava and Elizabeth of Thuringia, and also the external context, which largely affected their lives. Saints are described here in their wide range, both through our history and the history of European nations. The structure's work corresponds to a defined plan. The first chapter deals with the contemporary background and major events that occurred just before their birth and their lives. The following two chapters depict Zdislava own and Elizabeth's life, their work. The next chapter describes the work of saints in the social field. The fifth chapter is devoted to a comparison of the two saints with Saint Agnes. The last chapter contains evaluation figures Zdislava and Elizabeth of Thuringia and their significance for today. The concept of the work is based on the conviction that the stereotypes describing the lives of the saints can be overcame. The author seeks a new perspective on the work and life of both saints - Zdislava and Elisabeth. Keywords: Zdislava of Lemberk, Elisabeth of Hungary, the period of High Middle Ages, saintess, mendicant orders, hospital care, social work, lay piety

The thesis "The image of Czech-Austrian settlement in 1871 in media coverage by Viennese press" is focused on the view of German Austrians on the constitutional negotiations between the government in Vienna and the Czech political representation. The settlement consisted of a several media events reflected by major European dailies. The work examines the sight of two important Viennese newspaper - Die Neue Freie Presse and Die Presse, which were located in the center of the political focus. The research depicts period when constitutional negotiations culminated - from August to September 1871. Prior the analysis of dailies is the theoretical part describing the development of Czech-German relations, with emphasis on German nationality within the Habsburg monarchy, the development of censorship in the monarchy in the second half of the nineteenth century and the history of the examined periodicals.

The thesis explores the formation and development of agricultural production co-operativesin the context of market socialist transition. It examines how changes in the organisation ofproduction and reproduction affected gender relations. At the same time, it explores the waysin which the prevailing relationships between men and women provided incentives andcreated patterns for economic development. State socialist emancipatory rhetoric aimed atdeveloping a 'humanised' society. Humanisation was to come about through participation insocialist wage labour, while the functions of the family household were to shrink and giveway to the all-pervasive expansion of the state. These two principles were common in thestate socialist projects of agricultural collectivisation and of women's emancipation. However, the proletarianisation of the peasantry could not be accomplished due to the stubbornresistance of the peasantry. They kept alive the institution of household-based production.,Meanwhile, the state placed dual demands on women's creative forces: they were to reachparity with men in the labour force while, at the same time, they were also to nurture thecoming generations. The economy's demands for more workers mobilised the female labourreserves, but women's integration presupposed a reduction of women's reproductive responsibilities. However, rather than balancing out the burdens between men and women, reproductive rights were constructed as women's rights. Consequently, women were integrated as a 'deviant' labour force. The evolving gender segregation of labour in the collective and household sphere was explained by the changing constructions of 'masculinities' and 'femininities'. The evolving economic differentiation served as the basis for the materialisation of gender relations yet could not by itself determine the gender specific outcome of the changes in economic cycles.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of History / David Stone / This manuscript reveals the primary causes of Habsburg defeat both in 1866 and in 1914-1918. The choice of offensive strategy and tactics against an enemy possessing superior weaponry in the Austro-Prussian War and opponents with superior numbers and weapons in the First World War resulted in catastrophe. The inferiority of the Habsburg forces in both wars stemmed from imprudent spending decisions during peacetime rather than conservatism or parliamentary stinginess. The desire to restore the sunken prestige of Austria-Hungary and prove Habsburg great power status drove the military to waste money on an expensive fleet and choose offensive tactics to win great victories. This study shows the civil-military interaction in regard to funding and procurement decisions as well as the deep intellectual debates within the army, which refute the idea that the Habsburg military remained opposed to technology or progress.