Do Members of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences Exhibit Competitive Performance? – A Scientometric and Empirical Analysis
Polgári Szemle· 22. évfolyam 1–3. szám, 2026, 184–219., DOI: 10.24307/psz.2026.0312
University Professor, Editor-in-Chief of Civic Review, Chair of the Editorial Board,
Summary:
The effective and objective functioning of the flagship institution of Hungarian science con- stitutes a public matter of paramount national interest, yet this requirement remains unmet, particularly in the social sciences. In the case of a national institution, such criticism does not constitute an attack but rather an expression of a constructive intention to improve it. Improving academicians’ scientific performance, institutional operations, and the establish- ment of objective, transparent processes for academic succession would fundamentally serve the nation’s interests. A broad intellectual discourse has emerged concerning the manner of change, intensifying from spring 2025 around the bicentennial of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the election of its new president. The identified institutional challenges have now entered public discourse. The inadequate performance of certain academicians increas- ingly provokes widespread dissatisfaction, while Hungarian scientific life continues to operate under the influence of underperforming members of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences,3 who also increasingly seek to shape political public discourse.4
This paper shows how a Hungarian Academy of Sciences that operates through non-transparent, non-objective mechanisms while delivering weak scientific performance can undermine economic competitiveness and weaken the quality of academic succession. To substantiate the performance deficit of academicians, the analysis employs concrete scientometric methods and empirical observations. The paper argues that a new, performance-based Academy of Sciences, with new academicians, is required.
Keywords: Hungarian Academy of Sciences, competitive science, competitive economy
Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Codes: B20, N01
