The article which was originally written for Anglo-Saxon readers, de­scribes the position of East and Central Europe after 1945 as one which was characterised by a dual dependence (depending on the empire and the market) from the very beginning. The article shows how market de­pendences gained ground step by step as against the dependence on the empire in the Kadar regime. In the interpretation of the change of system he joins those views according to which the transformations linked with the change of system are much more the result of external causes (those of the world system), than that of the inner, organic development stemming in the social relations of the given countries. At the same time, the increase in the external links evidently played a role in the develop­ment that the external, world system influences could exert their impact without difficulties.

The study presenting concrete mechanisms of dependence underlines the responsibility of the selfish and short-sighted policy of the IMF in the crisis of the countries of the East and Central European region following the change of system. The demolished COMECON was not replaced by another economic system, behind slogans of building the market, the de­struction of the market was taking place which has had a very negative impact on the circumstances of living in these countries. On an ideological basis, the development of various collective forms of ownership has been obstructed, whereas this could have been an effective form for the elimi­nation of state ownership under the specific conditions of the societies of the region. The author refers to the helplessness of East and Central Europe, the very weak bargaining position of the governments in face of the West which attracts them (while pushing them back immediately under the influence of being potential rivals).

The study evaluates the Kadar regime as a sub-type of state socialism. Following a short description of state socialism, the authors analyse the world system relations which also set the place of the Kadar system. The article touches on the issue of the basis of this system. Discussing the after-life of the Kadar era, the authors identify with the standpoint that places the roots of much of the present phenomena of politics in the Kadar period.

The well known scholar of 1956 is sceptical concerning whether the changes in Eastern Europe will indeed lead to democracy. He criticises the analogies with Latin America in this regard. After providing a short description of state socialisms, he expounds that in his view, the history of authoritarian systems is continuing in East Europe. He refers to the failures of privatisation and the stabilisation of the position of the new elite. He describes the rapid disillusionment with the new parties, the improbability of the economic catching up and the necessity of the emer­gence of new class conflicts.

The author protests against the destruction of agriculture. He quotes figures and data to show that agriculture was a strong branch of the econ­omy in the past few decades and that no one was thankful for that. He argues that in the history of the past decades of Hungarian agriculture political viewpoints prevailed over the economic ones, and one injustice was attempted to be "remedied" with another. This has remained the case since the change of system.