The Inner Societal Clashes in The Visegrad Countries.

In this video, I analyze the current economic and political challenges and cleavages in the countries of the Visegrad group, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, their causes, and the possible future development.

- timestamps -

00:00 - Introduction
03:15 - The Economy
16:41 - Society and Politics
38:21 - Conclusions

Photos used in the video and for the thumbnail:

[kaiserbauch]

Addressing frequent criticisms:

1.) Many people have pointed out that I did not foreclose, point out, or filter out my political biases. After thinking about it for some time, I must admit it is a legit criticism. This channel and the analysis are rooted in my worldview, which can be described as right-wing or conservative. I have presumed that my regular viewers know this at this point and did not really think about it, but it is true that I should have thought about the new or irregular viewers and pointed this out somehow. The first chapter, which is more or less ideologically neutral and descriptive, only highlighted the contrast with the next chapter. In the chapter about society and politics, my views influence the analysis more.

2.) Many people have pointed out that they never heard the argument that gay marriage would improve the economic situation and get as economically closer to the more developed countries or that this it is a nonsensical argument. But it is important to note that I have NOT said that in the video. I mentioned the example of same-sex marriage in regard to the, in my opinion, false dichotomy presented by certain Czech politician presenting same-sex marriage as something that puts us civilisationally either to the West or to countries like Russia, not in regard to economic development. I have repeatedly listened to that part of the video to confirm this. Still, since many people repeated this criticism, I should have probably presented that part more eloquently or understandably, and it is thus on me.

Have a nice day!

[daxxm]

I found myself nodding in agreement to almost every point in that video. Very well researched and well delivered. Thank you! Greetings from USA & Poland.

[justaguy]

12:00 That battery factory is really controversial in Hungary. I partially live in Debrecen, the city where that plant is planned, and loads of people are opposed to it. There was a public hearing about the factory with the mayor, who fully supports the construction, and the people participating at the hearing confronted him with hateful comments, so much so that the hearing had to be interrupted.

The problem with the factory is that it needs loads of water and that area has major droughts and sometimes water shortages during summer. The manufacturing process also uses highly toxic materials, which is feared to cause massive pollution, especially since the factory is planned at the egde of Hungary's second largest city. That city sees young people moving to Budapest or western Europe, since the cost of living, especially rent (I am talking about regular commie blocks tho) is actually higher in Debrecen than in Budapest, meanwhile the salaries are about the half of those in Budapest. The city has a huge real estate shortage, since the city has the largest university in Hungary by the number of students, but only like 10-20 percent of all students can be housed at dorms, which made the city full of vacant apartments only for students, but for insane prices.

[marcin_kalbarczyk]

I am so happy there is someone on youtube that makes videos in english about world from our perspective.
It is so heartwarming for me that in europe there are my fellow west slavs, and not only, also lithuanians, hungarians and others, that have similar history to us poles, and can understand us. Honestly in case of war id defend these countries of the region as my own.

[franciszekkapuscinski]

You put into words what I was thinking about politics in Poland. Thank you

[karmazynowy_]

You are a hidden gem. I think that was a great analysis. As a Pole I find it very accurate. Keep up the good work!

[boomerix]

As a Hungarian I could write a multiple page essay on why Fidesz is so successful in Hungary, but the shortest and most simplified version I can give as a youtube comment is: A large part of the success of Fidesz is caused by the oppositions incompetence.
I am also not the greatest fan of them, and I would wish there was a good alternative, but many of the big opposition parties are just as corrupt or out right crazy, besides their constant backstabbing of each other.

For those in the west who like to demonise Orbán as a "far right" extremists I'd like to point out that the leader of one of the biggest rival parties openly said he wants to introduce "Siberian labour camps" for criminals and is also an extreme Russia simp. One of the smaller parties in the opposition demanded in the past that there should be a state register for Jews. Fidesz is pretty tame compared to the extreme figures of other parties you can find in the Hungarian parliament, those people would give Germans 3 heart attacks in a row. One of the leading figures of the "social and progressive" wing was secretly recorded in 2006 holding a private speech in which he talked about how they have lied to the public and just enriched themselves in the process. The big socialist party is the direct inheritor of the old Communist party.
There are new small parties trying to replace the old rotten core as decent alternatives, but they have a hard time to grow as the current opposition parties don't want to loose their shot at power.
If you think Orbán is bad and the country needs to be saved, but don't understand why people keep voting for him, please understand that the cure to him is not getting rid of Fidesz, but getting rid of the entire current political establishment.

In all honesty I think the country would be better off if we'd go back to being a monarchy.

[thijsvz]

KaiserBauch, thanks for giving me (Dutch so western Europe) more insight about the political landscape in Central Europe and it's origin. Very interesting to learn about the Central European perspective on the EU, their internal politics and their relation with us!

[witt]

I want to thank you for such a descriptive, accurate and insightful portrait of V4 countries. I have to admit you hit the nail in the head, especially regarding the double stance of Poland, concerning its debate against EU and the openness to UA refugees. As an Italian, it was very fun to hear about Slovak politics, since it seems exactly what is the current state of affairs in Italy. In this sense, Italy too has such double stance, exacerbated by a never-ending regional disparity between north and south and a political class that does not know and care about the citizens who elected them. Like in the many examples you mentioned, also Italian politicians affirm one thing when their parties are ruling, and the opposite one some months after, when they are in the opposition!!! Another thing is due to the lack of economic opportunities in Italy, especially for the youth, which exacerbate the feeling of being left behind by the ruling class, who cares for who knows... and the sentiment that across the Alps the living standards are better.
Nevertheless, keep up with the great work you're doing!!

[Slidan]

Kaiser, my bruh, I hate alcohol but I would be happy to go down on couple drinks with you. Keep it up

[pangorki]

I have not been so impressed by a youtube video in a long time. Greetings from Poland and keep up the outstandig work!

[mnamotovic]

Typyčo, ten přízvuk je tak silnej, že si donesl vlastní řízky na dovolenou.

[xyzxxxc]

As a pole im really glad to finaly hear some of czech brother make smart analise. Keep up brother !

[ozdenburla]

Some of the economic problems of eastern European countries are: lack of a rich and self-sufficient domestic market, difficulty in accessing trade centers and ports, unqualified and insufficient population and low education level (vocational economic education is meant here, economic competence for a population where everyone receives art, drama, history etc. education). productive population.)

[ottofrinta]

I'll continue binge watching your videos tomorrow. Great stuff, the last time I've been this excited about a Youtube channel was when I discovered Ryan Chapman's channel. But a fellow Czech with probably almost identical political leaning, bothered simultaneously by the exact same questions my wife and I often discuss? That's just perfect.

So far I haven't heard about one piece of the "falling birth rates-labor market-migration-pension system" chain though. And the link is housing market, especially considering the constraining effect it has on young families having children, not just in Czechia or Visegrad coutnries, but the West in general. I'd love to see your take on that whole rabbit hole.

[hozic]

As a czech centrist i lowkey love living here

[Ondratate]

Skvele video, premyslel jsem nad podobnou tvorbou ale jeste se na to necitim, jsem rad ze to nekdo dela :D

[staan.b]

It's really refreshing to hear a non-liberally infused summary of CEE countries' social landscape. The part about inferiority complex was on point. Good job! Greetings from Poland

[seas]

What is "Judeo-Christianity" the 2 Religions have very little in common. Idk why this term has become so popular nowadays, you can just say Christian values you know.

[uriargaman]

I am Israeli. The contrast between visiting Edinburgh and Prague during the war was surreal. In urban Scotland simply saying we're from Israel earns us cold treatment, assuming the worst [for me, a left wing person who believe the casus belli of the war is justified but a lot of the in belli actions are not, that stings especially due to the lack of nuance]. In Prague in contrast we're treated as normal people, potentially even more sympathetically due to the suffering war brings. I also percieved the politics of Prague as essentially a competition between very ideologically similar blocks, and your explanation confirms that both sides essentialy end up enacting the same policies, which sounds like a haven of stability when living in a country where the wrong political choice can cause literal wars and regime changes.
I hope the economic situation of the Visegrad countries improve, especially the rural areas. Best of luck from Jerusalem