Amidst the most difficult circumstances produced by the long-time embargo and the collapse of Soviet support, the Cuban revolution is struggling for survival. There is, however, no clear blueprint for economic and political adjustment.

The authors claim that the main reason for the return of post-communist parties is that they could sell themselves as social-democratic parties. Accordingly, their failure to fulfill the related promises will be the main cause for their fall. In order to understand the dynamic of East European politics, class analysis must be revived.

Two books have been published on the history of the Hungarian Free Democrats i.e. the former "democratic opposition". The author compares these books and also reviews a critique of the same books by Miklós Szabó.  (Ervin Czizmadia: A magyar demokratikus ellenzék. I-III. [The democratic opposition in Hungary], T-Twins Kiadó 1995., Ripp Zoltán: Szabad demokraták [Free Democrats]. Napvilág Kiadó 1995.

The first phase of the so-called systemic change namely the general disintegration seems to come to its end and new integrations of the coming era are emerging.  The relationship to NATO is a fundamental question not only security but also on political and economical grounds and not to mention the physical presence of the North Atlantic Organisation in Hungary. At the same time campaigns have been launched to have a referendum on the question of joining it. Membership in the military organisation is required to maintain security and stability argue NATO supporters.  This issue of Eszmélet also addresses questions of racism, nationalism and market reforms that can really be considered as factors threatening our security and stability.