Category Archives: Periodical

Former issues

No. 96 | (Winter 2012)

The main topic of this issue of Eszmélet is the "structural crisis of capitalism". Historical and theoretical analysis is presented on the social-economical features of "new capitalism" of Easter Europe or by the words of A. Tarasov on the "second edition of capitalism" on the semi-periphery. One crucial element of these is the regression in the agricultural development: the extreme weakness of the SME sector, that is a severe step backwards even comparing to the state socialist era. Although there is a historically determined inherent tension between the socialist-communist ideas of emancipation propagated by the state socialist system and its actual reality but a sophisticated judgement on the system is made in relation to the concurrent developments in Western Europe.

In the documents section a letter of József Szigeti is published from his archives, which casts light on the background why Ágnes Heller defamed István Mészáros. The sociographic photos of Lewis Wickes Hine from the "dark past of America" illustrate that the historical foundations of the most modern capitalism are still working this days despite any change in its present forms.

 

Table of contents
  1. Immanuel Wallerstein : The Wold Class Struggle: The Geography of Protest
  2. Nigel Swain : A Post-Socialist Capitalism
  3. Alekszandr Nyikolajevics Taraszov : The “Second Edition of Capitalism” in Russia
  4. Vámos György : Perpetrators and Scapegoats at the Hungarian Radio after 1945
  5. Susan Zimmermann : Gender Regime and Gender Struggle in Hungarian State Socialism
  6. Szarka Klára : Illustrated Chapters from the Dark Past of America. Photoes of Lewis Wickes Hine
  7. Révész József : József Szigeti as Philosopher (1921-2012)
  8. Szigeti József : Informative Contribution to the Bolivar Prize Case
  9. Ignacio Ramonet : WikiLeaks
  10. Tütő László : Resignation, “Better not to Know”, Being Busy Bees. Variations on Withdrawal No. 2 “Escape into Freedom”
  11. Koltai Mihály Bence : Why Ideology?
Former issues

No. 95 | (Autumn 2012)

Analysing the world system also requires Eszmélet to be involved not only in examining the crisis from different angles but also to develop viable alternatives to it, or at least to detect and present such solutions. The first block in this issue represents this empirically oriented approach: lists attempts for community based production made in Hungary over the past years and presents one of the most successful European model, the chain of Longo maï cooperatives, which emerged on 1968 ideas and is working in many countries.

As the never missed theoretical analysis is concerned, now the critique on the false opposition of national and global capitalism is in focus: examining the financial system and the reasons and forms of the re-emergence of ethnic nationalism.

Furthermore, the different approaches to the Gulag are presented in a "more than literary duel" between writers, drawing attention on Varlam Shalamov, who was born 150 years ago and represents higher morale and aesthetics than Solzhenitsyn, who is backed by the West. Shalamov's work and life is analysed in a series of articles contrasting his consequent opposition to power and business to the "compromises" of Solzhenitsyn. Finally, the debate on the attitude of Hungarian historians to Marxism is continued, which typically – as a Hungarian feature – got a flavour of getting deeply personal.

 

Table of contents
  1. Terbe Teréz : “Socios” and “Ecos”. Dilemmas of Community Economy
  2. Fülöp Ádám : Cradles of a Different Europe. The History of Longo Mai Cooperatives in Europe, 1968-2012
  3. Fülöp Ádám : Via Campesina. “Globalise Fight! Globalise Hope!”
  4. Don Kalb : The Deep Play of Finance, Demos and Ethnos in the New-Old Europe
  5. Szilágyi Ágnes Judit : The Situation of Women, Politics and Feminism in Latin-America Over the Past Two Decades
  6. Szarka Klára : Patricio Guzmán Campos the Recorder of the Life in Chile
  7. Szergej Szolovjov : The Unavoidable Solitude. Varlam Shalamov and the Theoretical Heritage
  8. Mark Goloviznyin : The “Liberation Theology” of Varlam Shalamov
  9. Szergej Szolovjov : Shalamov and Solzhenitsyn
  10. Tütő László : Resignation, “Better not to Know”, Being Busy Bees. Variations on Withdrawal
  11. Bartha Eszter : System-Changing Sociology. Critical Dialogues
  12. Artner Annamária : Global Capital System – National Responses?
  13. Gyáni Gábor : Untrue Readings or How to Constructa Disputant
  14. Krausz Tamás : Gábor Gyáni, Who Has Not Been Understood
Former issues

“Socios” and “Ecos”. Dilemmas of Community Economy

According to the author, the alternatives of the present day Hungary seem to come from two directions: there are those who act because they are forced the so-called 'socios' and those who act voluntarily the so-called 'ecos'. Both groups are trying to implement postcapitalist ways of living, which could show ways out of the ever deepening and generalized crises we all face. Their potential and connections will determine the results of the community initiatives. Is another Hungary possible?
Former issues

Cradles of a Different Europe. The History of Longo Mai Cooperatives in Europe, 1968-2012

In December 1972 a group of young people from over 10 European countries hold a meeting in Basel with the aim of "creating experimental zones as expressions of a Europe in solidarity, communities of peace and democracy, which are self-sustaining due to agriculture, handicraft and manufactured products derived from the communities." This essay – based mainly on the book written by Beatriz Graf in 2006 and on an interview made with Heike Schiebeck in the summer of 2012 – tries to give an overall picture about the rich story of the Longo Mai Cooperatives.