Hungary

Nobel prize winner János Harsanyi won recognition for his work on game theory, the Nobel Committee declared that it had profoundly renewed the analysis of markets, the behaviour and strategies of players, the different forms of competition, and market typologies. For Harsanyi, proper understanding of any social situation requires game-theoretic analysis. As for chess, his recommendation is to memorise the best moves. Physics Nobel prize winner Denis Gabor is of the view that all that can be accomplished will be accomplished. Kelemen Mikes observes: “Usually the poor catch the bird and the rich eat it”. As Sándor Márai points out, it is frowned upon in the establishment to talk about poverty in a pragmatic way: “Poverty is usually best dealt with from a distance from a high philosophical point of view, all the more so because if one deals with poverty in a more practical tone and perspective, it is internationally agreed that in most civilised states he will sooner or later be closed down”. György Bálint defines the essence of poverty, denouncing a world in which not everyone has their place. Albert Szent-Györgyi explains that what makes us poor is the desire for more. Ferenc Móra proffers advice on how to go about borrowing money and eradicating poverty. Sándor Petőfi, József Eötvös, József Attila, and Tibor Déry write about the immense power of money. Mór Jókai analyses man’s relationship with money through the linguistics employed in different languages. Lajos Kossuth reveals the great secret of power.