Our Faith in Truth

This is what we might call: faith in truth.

At first, it may sound like a philosophical concept, but in reality it is something deeply ordinary. It is present in every human relationship, every contract, every newspaper article, every court ruling, every teacher’s explanation, and every medical diagnosis.

When we board a plane, we assume that the engineers have not falsified the calculations. When we take medicine, we trust that the research has produced real results. When a judge delivers a verdict, we hope the decision is based not on the stronger party, but on the evidence.

Modern society is, in fact, built on this invisible trust.

Sociology describes this phenomenon through the concepts of social trust and “ontological security.” Human beings need the feeling that the world is not mere chaos, but that there is an order within it to which one can orient oneself. That words have meaning, facts can be verified, and reality ultimately matters more than whoever happens to speak the loudest.

When this faith is shaken, it is not merely a political problem, but a psychological and social crisis.

At the level of the individual, cynicism emerges: “everyone lies.” Apathy: “nothing can be changed anyway.” Relativism: “everyone has their own truth.” And finally radicalisation, when people desperately cling to simple, black-and-white explanations.

At the level of society, the same process leads to the erosion of trust, the weakening of institutional legitimacy, polarisation, and the spread of conspiracy theories.

When people no longer believe that courts are independent, that the press is free, that schools serve knowledge, or that public funds truly serve the public good, then the very foundation of social coexistence begins to crack.

Sixteen Years That Wore Down Trust

For many Hungarians, the past sixteen years were not merely a political era, but the gradual experience of seeing that the rules do not apply equally to everyone.

Again and again, they saw that corruption cases had no real consequences. That a narrow circle accumulated fabulous fortunes. That economic and media empires built from public money appeared untouchable.

Meanwhile, the state of education, healthcare, and public transport revealed increasingly serious problems.

Civil organisations were often treated with suspicion. The independent press was frequently discredited through political labels. And those institutions that should have served, in the eyes of society, as guardians of truth lost their former autonomy.

The result was not only political dissatisfaction, but a deeper social feeling: that reality and truth mattered less and less. And when the members of a society feel this, after a while they no longer even become outraged. They simply shrug.

The Moment Hope Returned

It was in this environment that Péter Magyar entered the scene two years ago.

Many people took notice of him because he did not merely criticise the system, but restored the feeling that change was possible. During his nationwide tour, tens of thousands of people met him in person, and many voters who had previously given up hope became involved in public life again. Today, as he is officially elected prime minister, therefore means far more to many than a constitutional act.

It is the fulfilment of a collective experience: that there is a way back from indifference. That democracy is not merely a façade. And that the shared will of the people really is capable of bringing about change. For many, the election result creates the euphoric feeling that their faith in truth has returned. That we can once again believe: actions have consequences, corruption is not a natural state of affairs. Public money truly is public money. And the rules apply not only to the weak, but to the powerful as well.

The Hope of a More Just Country

Faith in truth cannot be restored by decree. Trust is built slowly, and it can only be maintained through consistent, honest governance. But in the life of every society, there are historic moments when people once again come to believe that it is worth believing in shared rules.

For Hungary, in the eyes of many, this day is such a moment.

And if this faith truly grows stronger, then the country will not only turn in a new political direction, but also in a human one.

Toward becoming more just, calmer, more trusting — and perhaps happier, tooIllustration:

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