Petőcz Kálmán (szerk.): National Populism and Slovak - Hungarian Relations in Slovakia 2006-2009 (Somorja, 2009)
László Öllös: Time for Hungarian-Slovak Dialogue (Conclusion)
László Ollós As long as the mutual Hungarian-Slovak dialogue produces results that will be viewed as tangible by the critical mass of both countries’ political communities, then those who prefer national reconciliation based on mutual justice to overt or latent hostility may prevail within both countries’ electorates. These voters will seek to rid the political system of the burden of ethnic anxiety; however, they must be prepared for ruthless and relentless resistance to reconciliation as those who fan the flames of fear in both nations will be fully aware that the basic pillar of their legitimacy is being undermined. But is the time ripe for this kind of change? Is the proper historic moment upon us? Let us take a look at what has changed compared to the system of relations established in the 20,h century. Most importantly, Hungary and Slovakia have become full-fledged members of NATO and the EU, which renders any attempts to change borders in a violent fashion impossible. Consequently, encouraging the feelings of threat does not support actual efforts to change national borders or prevent it for that matter. The only motive behind it is establishing or strengthening voters’ irrational ties to political parties. In fact, most of these ghosts and apparitions are conjured up out of political reasons in order to gain power. On the other hand, the clash between political leaders’ domestic interests and the reality also gives birth to the opposition that unmasks the attempts to encourage fears of changing borders. Nowadays, the Slovaks themselves believe that the Hungarian threat does not exist and that the notion is invoked by groups that find it expedient out of political reasons. In Slovakia’s domestic politics, the ‘Hungarian threat’ has gradually become a power tool that lacks the actual threat and now serves a different purpose. As a result, the source of threat has become one of fundamental issues of democracy. In the process of Slovak-Hungarian dialogue, it would be very desirable to acknowledge that the courage to concede historical wrongs and remove the disadvantaged status of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia does not threaten the state’s unity in any way. Maintaining the state of ethnic inequality, obscuring past wrongs and inhuman acts and encouraging the majority’s feeling of danger does not threaten state borders but the democratic system of values. Elimination of inequality is the moral right of the disadvantaged as well as the moral obligation of the privileged; however, the new constitutional value system must offer something extra also to those who were previously among the privileged. To them, relinquishing the national dominance does not imply uncertainty and danger, which is why their sacrifice is relative.5 On the other hand, relinquishing power privileges extends the scope of their own freedom and helps them build their own 254
