MONOPOLIZATION OF EDUCATION: NATIONALIZATION OF CHURCH SCHOOLS IN HUNGARY

Abstract

After World War II, in Hungary the caretaker government formed as a result of the coalition of left-wing and bourgeois parties created the slogan ‘Free state, free church’. The political power promised the churches unrestricted operation, not only in the field of religious life, but also in fulfilling various social functions. However, the consolidating left-wing made efforts to take over control right from the beginning. The left-wing forces, especially the Hungarian communist party forming the government regarded the churches to be their dangerous opponents as they had wideranging social influence. The left-wing has done everything to reduce the churches’ far-reaching social influence. The communist party (in secret), was already busy with preparing the consolidation of monocracy. It regarded the churches as serious rivals not only ideologically, but also from the point of view of the monopolization of ruling. Churches had far-reaching social connections. They were present in almost every villages, towns, and cities. Denominational schools comprised one of the important elements of the churches’ connections. Consequently, the left-wing first of all wanted to acquire church schools. The government kept explaining the public that school nationalization was implemented for the sake of progress and democracy. The communist party considered this school matter as a question of power. Left-wing forces made efforts to gain influence over society to the highest possible extent. They also wanted to control the formulation of the growing generation’s thoughts and view of life. Consequently, acquiring the schools was an important step on the way of expropriating political power.