Approaches to healthcare in the state socialist era caricatures of Ludas Matyi

Az egészségügy megközelítései az államszocialista kor Ludas Matyijában

Abstract

In my paper, I examine public discourses, everyday attitudes, and stereotypes related to the healthcare system during the state socialist regime, through a specific source group, namely the cartoons of Ludas Matyi. I reviewed 10 entire volumes of the journal between 1949 and 1985 and found 909 cartoons referred to the healthcare system in a broader sense. The seemingly oversized sample represents 3.72% of all cartoons published in the 10 volumes.

I classified the cartoons into 12 categories, and then in the second step into four category groups. The examination of the temporal distribution of the category groups shows a characteristic pattern. In the Rákosi era, the intention to control citizens – i.e. propaganda and discipline – dominated the cartoons (also). In the Kádár era, however, the entertainment/therapeutic function came to the fore – unexpectedly from 1957 onwards – and more and more cartoons also expressed implicit or implied social criticism.

Although healthcare had become a comprehensive system in that era, which practically every citizen came into contact with at several points in their lives, the cartoons typically depict the interactions of a few characters. The cartoons are typically very empathetic about alcoholism or smoking. The healthcare staff, as expected, typically display a paternalistic attitude towards patients. The depiction of sexist attitudes and behavior was also consistent with the former hypotheses, although its level was regularly lower than was expected.