This paper aims to examine more deeply the roots of Hungarian national identity and how important it is for understanding the rise of right-wing extremist ideology in modern day Hungary. The idea of 'nation' constitutes an important factor in shaping Hungarian national identity; its boundaries have been reshaped from a historical greater Hungary before Trianon to the Hungary of today. Membership in the European Union (in 2004) and the continuing economic crisis of 2008 were quickly followed by disillusionment at the perceived failings of the “western model,” paving the way for parties in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Jobbik, to use cultural and ethnic national identity and historical memory as a tool for political mobilization against Europeanization. Quantitative and qualitative secondary data analysis of four surveys conducted between 1994 to 2009 combined with analysis of relevant literature about the shaping of Hungarian identity, reveals a steady increase in right-wing ideology over a period of fifteen years. The data also reveals the supremacy of cultural, ethnic nationalism as the driving force behind this ideology, manifested in instances of hostility towards the Roma population and increasing euroskepticism. The success of far-right populist parties such as Jobbik in mobilizing political will around these issues will be a key determinant in shaping the shifting contours of Hungarian identity and ultimately Europe as a whole.

This paper aims to examine more deeply the roots of Hungarian national identity and how important it is for understanding the rise of right-wing extremist ideology in modern day Hungary. The idea of 'nation' constitutes an important factor in shaping Hungarian national identity; its boundaries have been reshaped from a historical greater Hungary before Trianon to the Hungary of today. Membership in the European Union (in 2004) and the continuing economic crisis of 2008 were quickly followed by disillusionment at the perceived failings of the “western model,” paving the way for parties in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Jobbik, to use cultural and ethnic national identity and historical memory as a tool for political mobilization against Europeanization. Quantitative and qualitative secondary data analysis of four surveys conducted between 1994 to 2009 combined with analysis of relevant literature about the shaping of Hungarian identity, reveals a steady increase in right-wing ideology over a period of fifteen years. The data also reveals the supremacy of cultural, ethnic nationalism as the driving force behind this ideology, manifested in instances of hostility towards the Roma population and increasing euroskepticism. The success of far-right populist parties such as Jobbik in mobilizing political will around these issues will be a key determinant in shaping the shifting contours of Hungarian identity and ultimately Europe as a whole.