In the 1970s, a counter-revolution in economics restored the neo-classical doctrines prevailing before the Great Depression. Since the 1990s, the contradictions and consequences of the emerging neoliberal order have become apparent. For analysing these, the works by J.M. Keynes and K. Polanyi are instrumental, and the proposal by the latter about economic planning and international finance on a regional scale should be revisited.

The friendly visit of Milton Friedman, the idol of Chicago Boys, to Pinochet was far beyond an isolated episode. The University of Chicago has already started, with state subsidies, the education of market fanatic economic cadres for Latin America as early as in the 50s. With the help of these cadres Pinochet's Chile became the first exemplar of the neoliberal model, from that Reagan's counter-revolution also gained inspiration. Friedman and other neoconservative theorists sought to give a new meaning to the idea of freedom and by this securing respect to the dictatorship of free markets.

Mainstream economics still regards the economy as the free competition between enterprises, which are small enough not to have control over the market. In fact, as John K. Galbraith has proven 40 years ago and that still holds true, developed capitalism necessary produces giant firms, which are not controlled by the market rather they control and manage it according to their self interests. Economic shocks over the past decades have not falsified this basic truth. On the contrary, recent company scandals support the fact that large firms widely manipulate the market.

This issue of Eszmélet focuses on ‘gender studies'. Articles address how gender policy and gender studies acquired their institutions in East Europe and examine why this process is not linked with little potential for social criticism. On the other hand, articles prove that it is possible to master gender studies with critical thinking on our society – addressing questions in past and present day Hungary. Illustrations of the current issue show women movement and women emancipation fights in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Other articles not matching the main gender topic include a comprehensive study on the contemporary Hungarian films, explaining the anti-art feature of the (neo)capitalism in Hungary through the film culture after the system change. The recent death of excellent football player Ferenc Puskás inspired an article on the lethal intertwining of football with politics and business.

Table of contents

1. Claudia von Braunmühl : Gender mainstreaming: Reconstruction of a trip around the world
2. Susan Zimmermann : The institutionalization of women’s and gender studies in higher education in Central Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space. Asymmetric policies and the local-global constellation
3. Loutfi Anna : Hungarian family law and the struggle for “gender order”, 1848-1913
4. Hock Bea : Mrs. Bridgeman who herself builds no bridges. Women and/in Hungarian cinema (industry) in the past sixty years
5. Varga Anna : Films: one hundred years of solitude. The hostile policy of Hungarian
6. Bartha Eszter, Konok Péter, Székely Gábor : „Childhood disease … in communism?” Leftist radicalism in the 20th Century
7. Krausz Tamás : Futball = politics and business? To the death of Ferenc Puskás
8. Zsigmond Anna : Miscarriage of Justice
9. Domány András : Poland 1981. Remarks on the article of Miklós Mitrovits
10. Mitrovits Miklós : Answer to András Domány