Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 420-2-2

Title

Confidential Reports and Publications

Date(s)

1969 - 1990

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

28 Archival boxes, 3.5 linear meters

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

One portion of the research reports and analyses were published for professional use, while materials intended for internal use or for a limited readership, as well as those prepared for Hungarian Radio (MR), Hungarian Television (MTV), the Hungarian State News Agency (MTI) and the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party (MSZMP) Central Committee (CC) Agitprop Department heads, were printed in a limited number of copies by the TK/MKI's own press. The first group of confidential publications and research reports consists of instant reports, primary summaries listing the key findings of each research project in only a few pages, without going into explanations of connections or time series. The majority of these instant reports were ordered by the MSZMP Central Committee, and were intended to assist the CC in its functions, serve its decision making activities, or depict the current situation by providing an instant snapshot of public opinion concerning an unexpected event or topical political issue. The 'genre' of the instant report emerged in the early 1980s in Hungary, and in the second half of the decade, at the same time as the system began to destabilize, they grew increasingly important in public opinion research. From 1988, as the pace of political and economic change accelerated, in practice, the Institute only carried out rapid public opinion surveys, and also processed the samples more quickly. Initially, representative national samples of 1,000 adults were questioned on a specific issue (such as changes in living standards, incomes, social questions, saving habits), and a summary totaling no more than a few pages was prepared for the client. Towards the end of the decade, current political questions came to the forefront, and telephone or face-to-face interviews with a few hundred people were carried out within one or two days on issues such as the Chernobyl catastrophe, international summits, MSZMP congresses, political acts of violence, and personnel changes in the MSZMP and country's leadership. This series contains only 16 items. Further types of confidential statement are color-coded according to the intended readership. Between 1970 and 1983, the TK published five different publications 'for internal use', of which three series bore the title 'Studies', and the remaining two 'Statements'; these publications were to be distinguished by their blue, green or pink covers. They covered the findings of political and economic public research into, for example, industrial workers' economic awareness, political principles, perception of measures to improve living standards, relations with the Soviet Union and with Hungarian minorities in neighboring countries, the impact of price rises on the public mood, the repatriation of the Holy Crown of Hungary, and the events of 1980-1981 in Poland. Confidential reports were presumably prepared in a total of 13 copies, of which 10 went to the MSZMP Central Committee Agitprop Department, 1 each to the heads of Hungarian Radio and Hungarian Television, and the remaining copy was stored in the TK management's safe. In exceptional circumstances, 20-30 copies of certain publications would be printed, and the CC Agitprop Department decided upon the list of recipients. In the 1970s, not even the Institute's employees could know the contents of such confidential reports, however, the majority of research findings were later published as volumes for a professional readership. Of the Studies series, 36 blue-colored volumes were published between 1970 and 1975, and 7 green-colored volumes and 2 pink-colored volumes between 1978 and 1980. We are aware of 18 blue-colored and 19 pink-colored Statements, but the present collection contains only 200 confidential statements.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

No documents were destroyed, extra copies are donated.

Accruals

Expected

System of arrangement

While the series has no chronological order, chronology prevails within groups of reports.

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

No special restriction applies

Conditions governing reproduction

Az OSA Archívum kutatótermében az anyag oktatási és kutatási célokra digitálisan másolható. Az adatfájlok korlátozott mennyiségben másolhatók.

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The physical condition of documents does not require special care.

Description Control

Archivist's note

April, 2013.