The author continues his work on the legacy of Lenin on the so called organisation question. The study reconstructs Lenin's views on the party in the early days – showing it by historical sources. Revolutionary party can be established only in revolutionary times. Due to lack of revolutionary working class movement an emigrant syndrome had developed. The debate between Lenin and Bogdanov (1907-1912) after the failed revolution is exiting, because actual theoretical and methodological conclusions can be based on it. Lenin represented the Marxist approach to politics in a given historical situation against Bogdanov, Mensheviks and the so called leftist Bolsheviks.

The study reviews the history of popular fronts between the two World Wars, focusing mainly on criteria of interpreting it, and also discusses the reality of ideas and tactics of popular fronts after World War II until recent times. The study aims to rise questions, which induce optimal political answers against present right-extremist and authoritarian global tendencies.

Neoliberal economists claim that globalisation triggered growth will improve the quality of environment in the long run. On the other hand, almost all practicing environment protectors say that negative ecological effects far outweigh benefits. Countries exposed to the increasing global competition are routinely forced to loosen their environmental regulations. International specialisation is often damaging to the environment and leads to monocultures in farming. Economic globalisation and the current wasteful mode of production mutually reinforce each other.

Table of contents

1. Szigeti Péter, Szalai Erzsébet, Lugosi Győző, Wiener György : Exploring world systems (Global “open competition” – the current stage of world capitalism)
2. Mészáros István : Farewell to Harry Magdoff
3. Marsovszky Magdolna : Anti-Semitism: “Negative aspects of a positive programme”
4. Gyenyisz Leonyidovics Babicsenko : Residency in the Soviet Union (Yuri Andropov’s official biography rather resembles to a cover story of a professional spy)
5. Sziklai László : After the End – On The Auschwitz Album. Story of a Transport
6. Robin Blackburn : A visionary pragmatist: Rudolf Meidner, 1914 – 2005
7. Istvánffy András : Resistance and the centre of the structure
8. Paul Blackledge : A critique of “anti-Leninist” anti-capitalism
9. Alekszandr Nyikolajevics Taraszov : World Revolution. A return to the strategy of global revolution also integrating 20th century’s experience
10. Bartók Gyula : Will a global socialist revolution come?
11. Rastko Močnik : Social changes in the Balkans
12. Boda Zsolt : Environmental effects of economic globalisation

A conversation on Péter Szigeti's book. Participants of the public discussion hosted by the Friends of Eszmélet were: Péter Szigeti, György Wiener, Erzsébet Szalai, Győző Lugosi.