Hungarian Technology Export to Angola through ‘Socialist Solidarity’

Abstract

Hungarian activity in the developing world is being explored again. As the topic is quite peripheral, thus it needs a comprehensive analysis. As an Eastern Bloc country, Hungary was engaged with socialist solidarity, however it never had real colonial past, thus its anti-colonial point of view seemed credible for the newly independent African countries. Decolonial orientation of the People’s Republic of Hungary started in the 1960s, and it had various other aspects as well. Different political and economic interests also played a key role, as Angola had an incredible abundance of resources, which gave a big push not only for Hungary, but for many other Eastern Bloc countries to play a significant role in the restoration of its economy, in the hope of establishing new commercial relations. Hungary offered - among others - significant financial support, bank loans, and scientific-technological help to counterbalance the former colonial powers' and other capitalist countries, who were seen as possible enemies and opressors. On the other hand this “socialist help” meant a search for potential new markets for the Hungarian economy, and the possibility to get acces to western markets and technology through international cooperations in the African continent.