Navigating Sovereignty, Dependence, and Economic Development

István Benczes: ‘Defining Economic Governance Through Critical Junctures and Learning by Doing ‘

Krisztina Arató, Boglárka Koller and Anita Pelle: ‘Why Does Hungary Not Use the Euro? The Reasons and Context Behind Staying Out’

Andrea Éltető: ‘Hungarian Industrial Policy in an EU Framework’

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A The Path of Hungary’s EU Membership. Navigating Sovereignty, Dependence, and Economic Development bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Authors: Judit Ricz, Andrea Éltető

In: Problems of Post-Communism, 1–15.

DOI: 10.1080/10758216.2025.2459268

Abstract

Why does Hungary, a small peripheral economy within the EU, aspire to become the second-largest European battery producer by 2030? Our principal aim is to explain Hungary’s ambitious pursuit of the state-sponsored creation of this new sector. We argue that the Hungarian strategy does not align with the real developmental state approach and that the best way to understand it is to combine the dependency and illiberalism arguments, building on recent developments in the comparative capitalism field. The Hungarian case underscores the primary limitations of these theories in comprehending contemporary changes and challenges, including the misapplication of green industrial policy.

A Ricz, J., Éltető, A.: Paradoxes of Green Transition and Developmentalism: The Case of EV Battery Production in Hungary bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Authors: Tamás Csontos, Andrea Éltető, Magdolna Sass

In: HUN-REN CERS, Institute of World Economics, Working Paper Nr. 280 (2024) December 2024

Abstract

Competitiveness is a complex concept that can be applied at various levels, such as micro-, meso-, and macro-levels. Comparative analysis of countries can be relevant in certain areas, such as foreign trade and foreign direct investments. These fields primarily reflect the Central and Eastern European region’s strong integration into global value chains. Foreign direct investments have also been perceived as an indicator of competitiveness, although in different ways across industries and economies. This study concentrates on the two domains of foreign trade and FDI, often overlooked in the recent extensive reports on the European single market and competitiveness. Trends and data from 2005 to 2023 are analysed, comparing the USA, China and the EU. Our findings prove the loss of position of the EU but also point to the heterogeneity of the European regions and countries. Finally, we analyse the Budapest Declaration on the New European Competitiveness Deal.

A Csontos, T., Éltető, A., Sass, M.: Aspects of European competitiveness – in the light of the Hungarian Presidency bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Iparbiztonsági kockázatok a magyar akkumulátorgyártásban és az ezzel kapcsolatos kommunikáció

Szerző: Éltető Andrea

In: Külgazdaság, 68:2024/9-10, 31-69.

A Éltető, A.: Iparbiztonsági kockázatok a magyar akkumulátorgyártásban és az ezzel kapcsolatos kommunikáció bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Author: Andrea Éltető

In: HUN-REN CERS, Institute of World Economics, Working Paper Nr. 278 (2024) November 2024

Abstract

The paper discusses the industrial safety risks inside and outside the factories, the government’s information on the issue and the management of NGO activities. Evidence has been presented that South Korean cell factories and recyclers have committed systematic and recurrent irregularities in Hungary over the past years, leading to worker hazards and accidents. The authorities have been powerless to deal with these effectively. Profit interests of the factories often override health and safety concerns. The risks to industrial safety will continue to increase even under normal operating conditions with the mass influx of Chinese battery factories. Instead of being correctly informed about this, the public receives a central propaganda that uses all the tools of greenwashing, while the authorities try to restrict concerned citizens’ groups by various means.

A Éltető, A.: Industrial safety risks in the Hungarian battery industry and related communication bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Éltető Andrea bejegyzése a Világgazdasági Intézet blogjában

Köztudott, hogy az Európai Unió stratégiai autonómiát szeretne, ami elsősorban azt jelenti, hogy csökkenteni kívánja a gazdasági függést Kínától, elsősorban a kínai alapanyagoktól. Ennek egyik fontos része a kritikus nyersanyagok (pl. kobalt, nikkel, lítium, mangán, gallium, grafit, réz, stb.) európai kitermelésének felfuttatása. A kritikus nyersanyagokról szóló törvény (CRMA, Critical Raw Materials Act) 2024 tavaszán lépett érvénybe és kitűzi azt a célt, hogy 2030-ra az EU ilyen nyersanyag felhasználásának legalább 10%-át európai bányászatból fedezzék. A 2024 szeptemberében kiadott átfogó Draghi jelentés külön fejezetet szán a kritikus nyersanyagoknak, megállapítva, hogy az ezek iránti igény rohamosan nőni fog, hiszen szükség van rájuk az akkumulátorokban, napelemekben, chipekben is. Jelenleg néhány ország kezében összpontosul a kitermelés: a ritkaföldfémek és a grafit globális kitermelésében Kína a világpiac 70%-ával dominál, a kobalttermelés 74%-a Kongóban zajlik, Indonézia a globális nikkeltermelés 49%-át, Ausztrália a globális lítiumtermelés 47%-át adja. Mivel a globális termelési láncok sérülékenyek (ezt a pandémia és a háborúk hatása is bebizonyította), s a geopolitikai érdekek is különbözők lehetnek, annál jobb, minél több az európai kitermelés.

OLVASSA EL

A A stratégiai autonómia környezeti és társadalmi ára – lítiumbányák Európában bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Authors: Andrea Éltető, Tamás Peragovics, Magdolna Sass, Ágnes Szunomár

China’s European Bridgehead? The Chinese Economic Presence in Hungary, Budapest: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Budapest (2024)

Abstract

While the EU-China relationships are fraught with controversies, the Hungarian government has for many years been strengthening cooperation with the East Asian power. Several new investments have been realised or announced, large infrastructure projects are planned, in May 2024 the Chinese president visited Budapest and in July 2024, the Hungarian prime minister reciprocated the visit.
This paper unpacks the highly intertwined and interrelated political, economic, and environmental aspects and challenges of this friendship – as the leaders of the two countries often label it.

A Éltető, A., Peragovics, T., Sass, M., Szunomár Á.: China’s European Bridgehead? The Chinese Economic Presence in Hungary bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Article by Andrea Éltető on the Institute of World Economics’ blog

It was recently reported that the Hungarian government is also trying to pave the way for battery recycling plants by amending the law, and the Minister of Economy has been persuading several battery recycling companies in South Korea and China to invest in Hungary. According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, since the EU’s 2023 regulation makes battery producers responsible for collecting and recycling all battery waste, but the country still has hardly any recycling plants, so this sector needs to be developed „to provide safe and environmentally friendly solutions for the large-scale recycling of used batteries.”

Read more

A The environmental price of battery-recycling plans of the Hungarian government bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Captured green aims: The case of Hungary

Abstract

A Éltető, A., Ricz, J.: Captured green aims: The case of Hungary bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.

Author: Andrea Éltető

In: HUN-REN CERS, Institute of World Economics, Working Paper Nr. 276 (2024) August 2024

Abstract

Based on official documents, the paper addresses in detail, why battery production in Hungary cannot be discussed as if it were in another European country. The costs and risks of Hungarian battery production are high because of its specific characteristics, and if current practices remain unchanged, the environmental, health and social damage it causes will directly outweigh the benefits for the population. Experience has shown that large companies will obtain environmental permits, no matter how unclear certain issues remain. Regulations have not been adjusted to this huge battery industry. And even in cases where rules are appropriate, the centrally-mandated authorities are not only lenient, but even break the rules themselves in the interests of the companies. New government regulations are helping the companies instead of local people or workers. There is also a weakening of transparency and inertia on the part of the authorities in many areas. Overall, the environment and nature protection aspects are not being taken into account in this area.

A Éltető, A.: Why Is It Different? Specific Characteristics of the Hungarian Battery Industry: Legal Background and Environmental Impacts bejegyzés először VGI-én jelent meg.