Illustrious Guest In Veszprém And Budapest

After the congratulatory speech of the rector of Pannon University, Minister of Defence Dr. Imre Szekeres said in his introduction: "Last year I gave two lectures here at the university. Now I have chosen the easier option by presenting an excellent speaker, someone who is well-known not only in America but all over the world." The professor teaches at the famous Yale University in the United States and he is a researcher of history and social sciences – the minister continued the introduction of the guest. 1974, the year when his book on the development of world-systems was published, marked an era in the academic work of the professor. The book was the first to introduce the terms by which we differentiate countries and social systems today. In his work he defined various categories such as core states, peripheral and semi-peripheral states.

"It is well-known that core countries can guarantee predictable economic development with added value, while countries on the periphery are dropping behind or if they have raw materials they can keep up with the others to some extent by selling these. The decisions of semi-peripheral countries to stimulate their economies also make a difference. In the course of research, Professor Wallerstein often analyzed the situation of the oppressed from their standpoint, and besides preparing the analyses, he also outlined scenarios for the solution of problems," said the minister. Finally he emphasized, "The merit of Professor Wallerstein is manifested not only in the fact that he is an excellent social scientist, because in addition to this, he is also a person whose work exerts influence on global social processes."

Following the introductory words of the minister of defence, Professor Wallerstein gave a brief summary of global political and economic processes and their impact on the geopolitical situation of core countries, and analysed the political processes in the United States, Russia, China, the Far East, and South America. He has found that for today, a ’genuine multipolar’ world has emerged, in which dialogues between states and negotiating situatons may be in different positions. We can also say that today geopolitics is complex and unpredicable. The professor cited Russia, which – in his opinion – is ’playing with Europe’, but it does the same with China and the Middle East, trying to achieve what is the most favourable for the country in the current situation.

It is quite a big problem in the current processes that the powers in the core can only delay the proliferation of nuclear weapons, they are not capable of stopping it. The professor said that in 15 years, some 20-25 countries will be in possession of nuclear weapons. The present-day nuclear powers avoid armed conflicts and the use of nuclear weapons because they know that a war of that kind cannot be won. But is there a guarantee that this opportunity will not fall into the wrong hands, the hands of a ’mad’ person? What might happen in that case? – the professor asked.

 

After the lecture there was a Q&A session for the students, and even though it took them a bit long to formulate the first question, soon there were some twenty sheets of paper on the moderator’s desk. The questions embraced a wide range of topics, from Hungary’s chances for an economic boom, the role of the United States in economy and military policy, public opinion about the NATO, to the economic development of China.

In the afternoon, the professor and his wife were received in Budapest by the Senate of Zrínyi Miklós University of National Defence. In her address deputy rector for education Dr. Klára Siposné Kecskeméthy gave us an account of the work of Professor Wallerstein, underlining that he has written 45 books, hundreds of publications, and edited 20 volumes. The deputy rector specifically mentioned Professor Wallerstein’s book entitled The Modern World-System, his most important work, already in its third edition.

The honourary doctorate was conferred on Professor Wallerstein by Colonel József Padányi, the deputy rector for science. In his thank-you speech the professor said it is a great honour to receive a recognition from one of the most important universities in Hungary. "I have been coming to Hungary for almost thirty years – it is a small European country but it has had a great cultural influence on Europe. Hungarian personalities have left their distinctive marks on the map of Europe" – said the professor.

The event ended with a toast, where defence minister Imre Szekeres presented Professor Wallerstein with a diploma in English.