Reply to Iván Szelényi’s Critique on My Book: “Power and Intellectuals in the Global Space”

In my reply I first disprove Szelényi’s assumption that the block of national sovereignty and the globalization are elements of a mechanically subsequent process: I argue that the former is created by the tensions caused by the latter, and contrary to my reviewer’s view, it is argued that the globalization is rather guided by irrational than rational forces. Following this, I emphasize that the fundamental ambiguity of capitalism is still related to capital-labour relationships, which are currently disguised in the feudalistic patron-servant relationships. The reply also proves that workers of the periphery do not receive the wages necessary for the reproduction of their labour force. Following this, I also disprove Szelényi’s thesis according to which the disintegration of local communities is counterbalanced to a great extent by the newly emerging communities organized at a global scale. Finally, I refute the argument brought against me which states that intellectuals follow and represent exclusively their own values. In my view, acting on behalf of their own interests becomes possibly only by representing the interests of other social groups.