Baják László Ihász István: The Hungarian National Museum History Exhibition Guide 4 - The short century of survival (1900-1990) (Budapest, 2008)

Room 20. The Rise and Fall of Communism (1945-1990). István Ihász

ical leader by Moscow. All of these facts, treated as untouchable taboos, (might have) brought into question his personal power and the legitimacy of the Party and the system. Taking into consideration the Soviet Union's weight in world politics, he approached the east-west as an adherent of realpolitika. Towards the great power he voiced his loyalty as an ally, and in exchange received relative independence in domestic matters, which guaranteed frameworks varying in breadth within which to experiment and change with the intention of reform - and this caused the West to look upon Hungary differently from upon its neighbours. As a result of gradual relaxation coming with his personal development, over a period of two decades an eastern show model was constructed. Despite the anti-capitalism stemming from his simplified world view he alone among the communist leaders seemed to receive recognition from the West. He was received by Pope Paul VI during his visit to Italy in June 1977, who thus met a communist leader in person (though without a state function). He enjoyed exceptionally good relationships with well-known European social democrats. In the course of his long leadership he acquired a Franz Joseph-like paternalism through his tamed greyness and willingness to make compromises. In his running of the country he remained steadfastly true to his earlier principles, his communist interpretation and aims. Through the central removal of additional incomes coupled with state redistribution he wished to guarantee for the whole of society an equal standard of life for the entire country exceeding the subsistence level - all of which prevented him later from recognising or accepting the need for change. The moderate modernisation plan of the 1960s saw the conclusion of the programme begun in the 1930s to construct electricity, running water and sewage networks. Outstanding transport investments resulted in the construction of the first half of Hungary's first motorway (the M7) linking Budapest with Lake Balaton, the opening of Elizabeth Bridge in 1964 and the capital's first underground line (in 1967) since the old millennium line. The greatest investments went to the agricultural cooperatives, making them internationally competitive. By the end of the 1960s an end had been put to food distribution problems in Hungary, which in itself was a remarkable