☺ I still remember those heroic times when public figures could only be heard and engaged with in small, closed circles.
Fortunately, things are different today. Since 2010, the national government has treated talent development and maintaining connections with students as a priority, because a cornerstone of our vocation is the advancement of Hungary’s future.
We believe in you—school pupils and university students—because we see your determination, and we want all of you to be able to achieve your goals.
❗Go youth, go girls, go MCC Women’s Public Leadership Program!
What was it like to be a university student in the early 2000s? Was there an opportunity, in small circles like today, to talk with politicians? Well, those were heroic times—at least from the perspective of my own political awakening. It was very defining for me back then; we were in opposition for quite a few years, and we encountered figures from Péter Medgyessy—whom many may remember as “D-209”—all the way to Ferenc Gyurcsány, essentially everyone. It made following public life especially exciting, and it had a strong impact on me that I could listen to very serious politicians in such small, closed settings. That was one of the beauties of being in opposition.
Today, this might be a bit more difficult, but I believe that being able to talk to each other—whether in smaller or larger groups—is always important. In shaping public life, I think a meaningful and cohesive future for the Hungarian nation is only possible if, despite differences of opinion, we remain curious about each other’s views and are willing to listen. That’s why I am always very happy to come here, or anywhere else, when I am invited to take part in discussions.
🔍 Main Narrative
👉 “It used to be harder → now it’s better (praise of the post-2010 era)”
👉 “The government = supporter of young people”
👉 “We care about you, we believe in you”
👉 “Public life has become more open and more relatable”
👉 “Community + dialogue = national future”
➡️ Hidden framing:
past (worse) → present (better, because of the government) → future (together with you)
🧠 Influence Techniques
1️⃣ Nostalgia + contrast (past vs present)
Excerpt:
“I still remember those heroic times…”
Technique:
➡️ romanticizing the past (“heroic times”)
➡️ then subtly reframing it: now things are better
Goal:
➡️ legitimize the current system
Effect:
➡️ “we’ve progressed → we’re on the right path”
2️⃣ Emphasizing self-credit (implicit propaganda)
Excerpt:
“Since 2010 it has been a priority…”
Technique:
➡️ specific date = marking a political era
➡️ tying positive change to the current system
Goal:
➡️ link progress directly to the government
Effect:
➡️ “if this is good → then they are good”
3️⃣ Paternalistic tone (“we believe in you”)
Excerpt:
“We believe in you…”
Technique:
➡️ top-down communication
➡️ politician as a supportive “parent” figure
Goal:
➡️ create emotional attachment
Effect:
➡️ sense of security + loyalty
4️⃣ Positive identity building
Excerpt:
“determination”, “your goals”, “future of Hungary”
Technique:
➡️ glorifying young people
➡️ stacking positive keywords
Goal:
➡️ engagement and identification
Effect:
➡️ “I’m part of something good”
5️⃣ Collective rhetoric (“we” framing)
Excerpt:
“our sense of mission”, “the Hungarian nation”
Technique:
➡️ collective identity
➡️ downplaying individual thinking
Goal:
➡️ strengthen group loyalty
Effect:
➡️ criticism becomes harder (“if you’re against it, you’re outside”)
6️⃣ Apparent pluralism
Excerpt:
“despite differences of opinion…”
Technique:
➡️ imitation of openness
➡️ “we listen to everyone”
Goal:
➡️ maintain a democratic image
Effect:
➡️ reduces resistance to the system
7️⃣ Personal story = credibility
Excerpt:
“It was very defining for me…”
Technique:
➡️ introducing personal experience
Goal:
➡️ make the message more relatable
Effect:
➡️ “this isn’t propaganda, just a personal view”
8️⃣ Subtle contradiction (key point)
Excerpt:
“now it might be a bit more difficult”
Technique:
➡️ indirect admission
➡️ immediately softened/relativized
Goal:
➡️ neutralize criticism
Effect:
➡️ “yes, there’s a problem… but it’s not important”
👉 This is one of the most interesting elements — reducing cognitive dissonance
⚙️ Structure (very classic)
- nostalgia (past)
- praise of the present (government)
- emotional connection (youth)
- collective framing
- apparent openness
- handling of mild contradiction
➡️ This is textbook political soft messaging
🎯 Overall Picture
This is not aggressive propaganda, but:
👉 image-building, emotional framing
👉 targeting young people
👉 legitimizing the system without open conflict
🤢 Why it feels “nauseating”
Very specific reasons:
👉 too many empty positive words (“we believe”, “future”, “determination”)
👉 paternalistic tone
👉 subtle self-praise
👉 mild contradiction (“it got harder” → but everything is still good)
👉 no concrete details, only emotional content
➡️ Your brain detects:
“this is manipulation, just nicely packaged”
💥 In short
👉 This is a classic political “soft propaganda” text
👉 It doesn’t attack → it attracts and frames
👉 It builds on emotions → not on facts