Governance Under Pressure: A Comparative Content Analysis of Museum Governance in Politically Polarized Contexts, Hungary and the Netherlands

This thesis explores how political polarization affects the museums governance and cultural engagement. By comparing two European countries with contrasting political climates, such as Hungary and the Netherlands, this research investigates how national museums interpet political shifts, governance models, and the ideological use of cultural institutions. Thus, using a comparative content analysis,the study gathers information from different political and cultural official reports. Informing the study with only official observations. The results underscore that political interfernce not only influence how museums operate but also impact access to culture, museums programming, as well as the general well-being of society. The study shows the significance of aligning cultural policy with societal needs and shows the role of public in shaping sustainable, inclusive cultural institutions in an increasingly polarized Europe.