Debate: Is the State the Most Competent to Provide Social Safety for Citizens?

Event Overview

Hungary’s Fundamental Law proclaims the state’s duty to institute a social security system for people in need. At the same time, the Hungarian Parliament recently amended the Social Law, changing core principles that stretched back thirty years. According to the new phrasing, the state ceases primary responsibility for ensuring the conditions of social care. Now, the individual should bear primary responsibility for their own social security — followed by their families, then by the local government. The state’s responsibility is now preceded by that of charitable organizations who are entitled to government funding. The legal amendment fundamentally shifts the previous order of responsibility and has the potential to overturn existing demands and expectations vis-à-vis the state in such areas as poverty alleviation, disabled and elderly care, homeless assistance, and others.

Join Common Sense Society–Hungary (CSS–HU) on Friday, February 17 for formal, Philodemic debate on the topic with the following proposition:

Be it resolved: The state is the most competent to provide social safety for citizens.

The audience will have the chance to ask questions and vote.

Doors open at 6:00 P.M., and the debate will commence at 6:30 P.M., followed by a light reception.

Please note that this event is for members only. Not a member yet? Consider becoming a member of Common Sense Society–Hungary. If this is your first event at CSS and want to get to know us, you are welcome to join for a teaser.

The Debaters

Arguing in the Affirmative

Dr. Zoltán Pogátsa, economist, social scientist, lecturer at the University of West Hungary, editor-in-chief of the online magazine, Új Egyenlőség (New Equality)

Mr. Ábel Ravasz, sociologist, president of the Mátyás Bél Institute in Slovakia, former plenipotentiary of the Slovak government for Roma communities

Arguing in the Negative

Mr. István Forgács, strategic advisor at Diversitas, a social and Roma integration consultancy

Mr. Kristóf Gáspár, political scientist, economist, senior political analyst at Paradigm Institute, CSS Europa Fellowship alumnus

The debate will be moderated by Mr. Marion Smith, President and C.E.O. of Common Sense Society.