Dr. András Bethlendi
Dr. András Bethlendi began his Post-Graduate Visiting Research Fellowship in the United States in September 2025 as part of the Liberty Bridge Program established by the Hungary Foundation. As a Visiting Scholar at Duke University School of Law, he is conducting research on the limits of democracy protection, focusing on how to define the boundaries of legitimate democracy defense in order to avoid undermining the very essence of democracy in the name of protecting it. His work also explores the intersections between European national minority rights and U.S. racial diversity law, the lessons they offer one another, and ways to foster mutual understanding between the two legal frameworks.
András holds a law degree from Babeș-Bolyai University in Kolozsvár/Cluj-Napoca (Romania), a master’s degree in philosophy from the same institution, and earned his PhD summa cum laude at Pázmány Péter Catholic University in Budapest. His doctoral dissertation introduced and analyzed the concept of ‘domosity’ and its role in the international legal protection of national minorities.
Dr. András Bethlendi
“The challenge of safeguarding democracy is one of the most pressing socio-theoretical questions of our time, spanning law, politics, and philosophy. Defining the boundaries of legitimate democracy protection is essential to avoid undermining the very essence of democracy itself in the name of protecting it.” – Dr. András Bethlendi
András’s professional path combines academia, advocacy, and community engagement. He is the founder and director of the Advocacy Group for Freedom of Identity, dedicated to litigation and advocacy for minority rights. He also co-founded the Musai-Muszáj language rights movement and serves as the founder and artistic director of the Méra World Music Festival. His commitment to the Hungarian minority from Romania is reflected both in his publications in Hungarian, Romanian, and English on minority rights, and in his academic work as a visiting lecturer at Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania, where he taught minority rights and public international law, as well as in his active involvement in the educational programs of Mathias Corvinus Collegium in Transylvania, Romania.
During his fellowship, András is collaborating with Duke faculty under the mentorship of Jedediah Purdy, Raphael Lemkin Distinguished Professor of Law.
Outside of his professional work, András shares this fellowship journey in the United States with his wife, Timi.
“The Liberty Bridge Program has given me a unique opportunity to pursue research as a Visiting Scholar at Duke University School of Law in an inspiring academic environment, while building meaningful professional connections.” – Dr. András Bethlendi