"In the past half-century every Central and East European society has been twice subject to transformation. Initially, Hungary was transformed by Communist-style modernization, increasing industry, expanding secondary education and improving health. The second shock was the collapse of the Communist regime and the introduction of democratic institutions and a market economy. How much or how little impact has institutional change had on the lives of ordinary people?" "Census and survey data, tables and figures highlight the extent of long-term social, economic and political change in Hungary from 1945 to 1998. It thus shows what was changing in the Communist era and what was stagnating - and the impact of introducing democracy and market economy. To evaluate the tempo of change, comparison is made with Germany, Austria and other Central European post-Communist countries."--BOOK JACKET.