Ten commandments to stifle academic freedom : a toolbox for autocrats

Abstract

Since 2010, the beginning of the populist takeover and the authoritarian transition, Hungary has gathered a lot of experience on how to dismantle academic freedom. This knowledge can be useful for other autocrats as well. But even if we don’t want to give them tips on how to repeat what happened and is happening in this country, it might still be worth reconstructing how it all took place. At least sometimes, it may be worthwhile to use a kind of reverse reasoning to understand the way of thinking of those who strive to destroy the values that are fundamentally important to us. This can be especially useful for calculating what to expect from autocrats and preparing how to defend against them. So, if today’s autocrats, like their Hungarian friends, are thinking about ways to restrict or destroy academic freedom, they should consider the following recommendations.