The Significance of Political and Economic Change in Two Generations of Slovaks and Hungarians

Two generations of Slovaks and of Hungarians responded to a short questionnaire sampling their opinions about recent political and economic changes in their respective countries. The younger generation were aged 18–23 and the older generation 40–45. In general, Slovaks expressed a higher degree of freedom of choice compared to Hungarians in various areas of their lives. Hungarians reported themselves to be more interested in politics at all levels (national, European and international) than their Slovak counterparts. These and other significant effects (relating to generational differences and differences in levels of education) are discussed in relation to recent changes in the political economies of the two countries. (© 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)