"The network was organized on a patriotic basis for more than 90 percent of it"

The state security of the Kádár era evolved significantly from its 1945 origins, transitioning from a totalitarian approach to a more professional structure. This change was influenced by the need to strengthen party control and avoid past mistakes, such as the Rajk trial. Although personnel changes occurred, the core operational principles remained rooted in earlier practices and Soviet models. The aftermath of the 1956 revolution saw a temporary increase in state security activities due to the release of political prisoners, but by the late 1960s, a shift towards a more effective security apparatus emerged. This included a clearer distinction between enemies and non-enemies, culminating in a restructuring in 1972 that aimed to focus on genuinely hostile activities rather than broadly surveilling society. The agent network established post-1945 relied on previous experiences, with a hierarchy based on usability rather than reliability, incorporating informants and agents from…