1. FINLAND AS A ROLE-MODEL: HUNGARY AND ROMANIA DURING EUROPEAN DÉTENTE March 21, 2005 Katalin Miklóssy University of Helsinki www. valt.helsinki.fi/staff/miklossy/ e-mail: katalin.miklossy@helsinki.fi

2. Today’s lecture Why on Earth is that interesting? Why on Earth is that interesting? Basic concepts to navigate with Basic concepts to navigate with An exceptional era…or is it? An exceptional era…or is it? Survival strategies: Hungary and Romania Survival strategies: Hungary and Romania Détente from the midgets’ perspective Détente from the midgets’ perspective ‘Wish we were Finlandised’ – The Model ‘Wish we were Finlandised’ – The Model

3. Cold War Studies: a new point of view The burden of Sovietology The burden of Sovietology Small states in focus: diversity and complexity of national strategies Small states in focus: diversity and complexity of national strategies Disintegrative tendencies inside of the Eastern bloc Disintegrative tendencies inside of the Eastern bloc 1960-70s: the beginning of the end 1960-70s: the beginning of the end

4. The key concepts Socialist or communist countries? Socialist or communist countries? Satellites, slave countries, members of the socialist commonwealth, minor partners of the Soviet Union or what exactly? Satellites, slave countries, members of the socialist commonwealth, minor partners of the Soviet Union or what exactly? The small state syndrome The small state syndrome The period: the miraculous 1960s The period: the miraculous 1960s

5. An Era of Reformism The Khrushchevist dawn The Khrushchevist dawn The problem: The problem: - socialism is an expensive system - the extensive method of economic development is out The solution: to apply elements of market economy into the socialist framework The solution: to apply elements of market economy into the socialist framework

6. Survival strategies – in opposition Different spheres of influence Different spheres of influence Making the best out of the status quo Making the best out of the status quo Different medicines for the same illness Different medicines for the same illness

7. Late-1960s: Troubles in the Communist World

8. Kádárism and the New Economic Mechanism The shadow of 1956 The shadow of 1956 The social contract The social contract Sacrificing foreign policy Sacrificing foreign policy The troubled year of 1968 The troubled year of 1968 Soviet demand of halting the reform in 1972 Soviet demand of halting the reform in 1972

9. Ceausescu and the quest for sovereignty Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence 1968 – the turning point 1968 – the turning point The ultimate issue: right of self-determination The ultimate issue: right of self-determination Romania, the outcast Romania, the outcast Ceausescu: the favourite communist of the West Ceausescu: the favourite communist of the West

10. Détente Turning Soviet initiative into something useful Turning Soviet initiative into something useful Getting out from the stalemate situation Getting out from the stalemate situation Establishing contacts with the West Establishing contacts with the West Hungary: economic relations Hungary: economic relations Romania: independent role on the international arena Romania: independent role on the international arena

11. The Tempting Finnish Model The Tempting Finnish Model For both: For both: - Extraordinary balance with the Soviet Union - Kekkonen’s virtuosity - The very next step toward the West For Hungary: For Hungary: - Economic relations with the West - Human rights issue: minorities For Romania: For Romania: - Visibility of a small state on the international stage - The role of mediator - Military neutrality