A qualitative and quantitative analysis of U.S.-Hungarian relations, 1963-1983

摘要

This study examines the evolution of the relationship between the United States and Hungary during the period of 1963-1983. Both qualitative and quantitative measures confirm that a significant development--from simple to complex--occurred from 1963 to 1983 in U.S.-Hungarian relations. In 1963, the countries did not even exchange ambassadors; but by 1983, ambassadors were exchanged and numerous political, economic, and cultural agreements had been signed between the two countries. From 1975 to 1978, a rapid improvement occurred in the relationship of the two countries. The return of the Crown and coronation regalia of Saint Stephen to Hungary in 1978 was a crucial turning point in U.S.-Hungarian relations because it was the prerequisite to Hungary's elevation to Most-Favored-Nation trade status and its membership in the World Bank.;Four categories of quantitative measures were used in this study: (1) Communications, which measured the number of books by U.S. authors which had been translated and published in Hungary between 1963-1983 and the number of Hungarian books translated and published in the United States during this period; (2) Movement of Goods, which measured U.S. exports to, and imports from, Hungary, as well as U.S. monetary assistance to Hungary; and (3) Movement of People, which was based upon the number of scholarly visits exchanged between the countries, the number of Hungarian government personnel visiting the U.S., the number of U.S. tourists visiting Hungary and the number of Hungarians visiting the U.S.; and (4) United Nations Voting Records, which looked at the number of votes cast in the United Nations by Hungary with the U.S. and in opposition to the Soviet Union. The evolution of U.S.-Hungarian relations, as confirmed by qualitative and quantitative measures, is reflected in the interactions between the two countries. Due to Hungary's internal and external political and economic constraints, greater changes occurred in U.S.-Hungarian relations than in U.S.-Hungarian interactions.