Janos Kis

Janos Kis is a University Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at the Central European University (CEU), Budapest, and holds the position of Senior Research Fellow at the CEU Democracy Institute. Born in 1943, he graduated with an MA in Philosophy from Eötvös Loránd University and has had a transformative career spanning academia, political opposition, and democratic transition.

He served as a researcher at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences until his dismissal in 1973 for political activism. A leading figure in Hungary's democratic opposition, he co-founded the Alliance of Free Democrats and edited the underground journal Beszélõ. Withdrawing from politics in 1991, he returned to academia, holding visiting positions at institutions like New York University School of Law and the New School for Social Research.

His research focuses on moral and political philosophy, democratic theory, distributive justice, and natural duties. He teaches courses on political obligation, freedom concepts, and contemporary political philosophy. Notable publications include Constitutional Democracy and Politics as a Moral Problem, exploring ethical dimensions of governance and institutional cooperation.

His work integrates historical context with normative analysis, addressing challenges in post-communist transitions and modern democratic dilemmas. He critiques authoritarian trends and advocates for constitutional integrity, reflecting his lifelong commitment to liberal democracy.