While modernity theory promised a break-out from poverty, dependency theories described the history of polarisations. The semi-periphery concept of the world systems analysis has been established as partial denial of both, characterising areas of labour division in between the capital and labour intense regions. According to the author, the world systems analysis is underestimating the importance of class struggle in production. Socialists are unable to step up with a feasible alternative to capitalism, because they have accepted that politics and the state exist separately from the material existence of the society. Critical analysis should focus on class struggle, and have to leave the illusion that relationships between the centre and periphery are determining the fundamental dynamism of global capitalism.

The question 'what can come after capitalism' is still an open question, because after the present crisis – it is certain – nothing can be the same as it used to be. Trends are open. It is possible that status quo could be restored in the short run but it is likely that conditions prevailing before the crisis or similar ones will reappear only transitorily.

What is the reason behind the fact that attempts to overcome capitalism almost exclusively originated in the semi-periphery, neither in the centre nor in the periphery, asks the author adding this important aspect to the semi-periphery debate. The answer hides in the unequal development. However, transcending capitalism, so far, was proven to be unresolved without equal development.

After decades of intellectual desolation Marx tops the bestseller lists again, at least this is what thousands of sold copies of his Capital indicate. After the grand narratives of the recent past suggested infallibility, the correct, deep, historical and dialectical – or simply Marxian – analysis of capitalism and globalisation earns respect again.