Designing institutions for sustainable development in Hungary: agenda for the future [antikvár]

DEFICIENCIES IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN HUNGARY ZBIGNIEW BOCHNIARZ AND SÁNDOR KEREKES 1. Introduction In 1989 after many years of partial reforms and forced negotiations between opposition parties and the communist Government, Hungary took an important step toward a new, democratic society. Morál crisis was the heaviest burden left behind by the Communist system. Unscrupulousness and conformity became the main criterium of success. The loss of a civil responsibility was the result of official ideology. The failure of science, culture and ethics in generál is due to this crisis. Devaluation of generál values, as courage, modesty, were all negatively affected by this morál crisis. This crisis led to the failure of science, love and even common humán generosity was linked with it. In such a situation it was not possible to develop an ethic of respect for nature. People did not understand that nature had a value in & of itself, that it is much more than a supply of raw materials and energy. Chronical shortages of basic goods on the one hand, and western consumerism on the other hand, shaped the life style oriented towards economic values and consumption of material goods and services. An attempt to escape such a critical situation presents a big challenge for the whole society and seems to be unique in the world's experience. From the point of view of a foreign businessmen, Hungary is one of the most promising Central European country. This advantage should not be lost or wasted. However, there is another opportunity that we must be aware of today. It concerns all the former socialist countries, not only Hungary. We cannot assume that it will be allowed to follow the path of development of Western countries with all of the mistakes and experiments, but alsó with the unnecessary luxury, consumption and material demands. After a long and sometimes painful experience,