According to the leading study of the author in his book "La Megamachine" from 1994, technological development has become "vicious" in as much it degraded the creator of the juggernaut to just a part of the system, and sacrificed a good deal of social values previously crucial in human relations. In order to find a way out we have to go beyond "technopessimism".

Progress has been a key concept in all different approaches to the philosophy of history. However, it can always be re-considered what constitutes progress. Is it about technological development or a qualitative change or social relations, or both?

Two main scenarios of the information society are discussed and compared in an extensive study. The authors review how other researchers and philosophers interpret the main features of information technology, their relation to the concept of democracy, and particularly to the actors of democracy, i.e. parties, politicians, and citizens.

The leading Hungarian expert of the topic highlights the dangers of market and political exploitation of the information environment. Most of these dangers remain hidden from the ordinary public, which otherwise can be very sensitive to issues of personal autonomy A historic overview of the theme is followed by some practical considerations as well as comments on recent institutional change in Hungary.