Kleptocracy and Illiberalism: the Establishment of Fudan University Campus in Hungary

This thesis will explore the conceptual links between illiberalism and kleptocracy in Hungary with a focus on the Fudan University Campus in Budapest. The objective of the paper is to examine the extent to which so-called illiberalism can be defined as an ideological movement unto itself or whether the behaviour of the Hungarian political elite is merely an example of state corruption with no motive other than personal enrichment - or, a combination of both. Through the use of a vast literature review, which will cover an array of conceptual fields such as illiberalism, authoritarianism, transnational kleptocracy, and the effect on Western higher education, a broad theoretical framework will be developed from which to begin analysis. Then, a mixed qualitative methodology will be utilised. Interviews, online legal documents and media reports will contribute to the examination of the Fudan University Campus and the role that kleptocracy has played in its foundation. Firstly, through the literature review, it is found that the question of illbieralism as an ideology unto itself deserves a mixed response, that most likely the phenomon in Hungary is a combination of both top-down corruption and bottom-up ideological backlash. In other words, while there certainly exists certain consistent characteristics that are shared by proponents internationally, the trend of illiberalism - the weakening of rule of law principles, for example - is stoked in part by a kleptocratic elite seeking greater control of state apparatus. The research methodology finds that state corruption is pervasive in Hungary, and the reformation of the higher education system there is a microcosm of a much wider problem that has allowed the government to exert more control over different aspects of society. Finally, the foundation of the Fudan Campus is being used by Hungarian political elites to continue a trend of hiding wealth originating within the corruption of the higher education system, as well as potentially contributing to a trend of increasing authoritarianism via strengthened links with China. These findings shed light on the relationship between illbieralism, kleptocracy, and the erosion of democratic values within Hungary. It also contributes to the broader discourse on the impact of corruption on higher education and the implications for democratic governance.