Social countervailing powers against the globalization of economy and media culture

Abstract

Economic and media globalization is being developed by individuals, groups of people and institutions that accept the idea of particular freedom and stand in opposition to traditional cultural values as well as to the values and principles of democracy. The accomplishment of this idea leads to, G. Soros claims, "market fundamentalism" and "transactional society" where production-distribution-consumption of the goods and the values of media culture are most important - the purpose of human life. Social countervailing powers stand in opposition to this domination of global economic and media institutions and their values. In his article the author expands J.K. Galbraith's theoretical concept of countervailing powers and within its framework he explains the origins and performance of some of anti-globalist movements in Poland and in Europe generally. (original abstract)