Tessza Udvarhelyi: How to build democracy — in an authoritarian country

How to build democracy — in an authoritarian country

"Today, Hungary is in the gray zone between a dictatorship and a democracy," says activist Tessza Udvarhelyi. "This did not happen overnight." In a rousing talk, she reminds us just how close any country can come to authoritarianism — and offers on-the-ground lessons for how to keep democracy alive through focus, determination and imagination. (Followed by a brief Q&A with TED curator Cloe Shasha Brooks)

Authoritarianism often creeps in slowly, like a frog in gradually boiling water, until freedoms vanish without warning. In Hungary, policies criminalizing homelessness, restricting LGBTQ rights, and silencing dissent have become law, yet local movements still carve out space for democratic action. Community-driven victories, from reclaiming public gardens to participatory budgeting, show that democracy survives through constant struggle and everyday participation. Real change comes from grassroots efforts and the courage to imagine a better future.