Comment Section for Opinion | I Watched It Happen in Hungary. Now It’s Happening Here. - The New York Times

This New York Times opinion piece, written by David Pressman, former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary, draws a parallel between the rise of authoritarianism in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban and what he perceives as similar trends in the United States. Pressman describes how Orban's tactics, such as controlling the judiciary and private sectors, have been met with silence rather than resistance from those in power. He notes a similar trend in America, where he observes that major corporations and institutions once vocal about democratic principles are now choosing to remain silent or even becoming instruments of authoritarianism. Pressman warns against the illusion of outsmarting or co-existing with a strongman, urging American elites to learn from Hungary's experience and take a stand in defense of democracy.