US cultural imperialism is as strong and damaging for the rest of the world as political, economic or military hegemony. It destroys solidarity, and spreads ideas and values facilitating further economic penetration and subordination.

The author used to belong to the so-called Democratic Opposition, but since 1989 he has found the most important to prevent pre-war political tendencies from returning. This attitude necessitates a strong stand against anti-communism.

An interview with the Socialist MP, who used to be an opponent of the Kádár-regime, was in opposition during the conservative coalition, and finds himself in a weak position when his own political party is in government. He outlines his views about how to democratise and socialise the media and the cultural sphere.

The conservative government caused an enormous damage to the Hungarian cultural and intellectual life between 1990 and 1994. Many believe that this was the story of the past. However, negative tendencies can continue under the Socialist-Liberal coalitoion as well, and a return of the right cannot be ruled out either.

The Great Transformation, written by the Hungarian born Karl Polanyi, has become a basic work for sociologists and economic historians in the West. McRobbie investigates how Polanyi used cultural instruments in his analysis of the capitalist economy.