New Europe in Transition

This work takes as its focus a selection of the key political and other (for example cultural, legal, economic and social) questions which currently confront Europe. These questions are addressed on three levels: first at the level of the major institutions which straddle large parts of Europe - NATO, the OSCE and the EU; second from the perspective of a large sample of European countries, including parts of the former Soviet Union; and third with regard to the economic, cultural and social dimensions of European society, both East and West. In addition, each chapter addresses two core themes: the impact of globalization on the European way of life, and the problems of and potential threats to democracy. The authors confront key questions such as how Europe should be defined: discussing for example the understanding of the "common European home" that applies within the former Soviet Union. Above all, they seek to provide a broad-based and question-provoking introduction to the post-millennial politics of Europe.

Peter Anderson is senior lecturer in European and International Studies at the University of Central Lancashire.Georg Wiessala is Senior Lecturer in European Studies at the University of Central Lancashire.