Are the recent developments in Europe bringing countries together or pulling them apart? The experts in this work cover a wide range of subjects, including the move towards political democracy and market economy in Central and Eastern societies, the project of the European Union, ethnic conflict, the rise of nationalism, social exclusion and women's role in public life. Contributors include: Thomas P. Boje, Bart Van Steenbergen, Sylvia Walby, Sheila Allen, Sara Arber, Volker Bornschier, Rosemary Crompton, Marlis Buchmann, Godfried Engbersen, Ute Gerhard, Mark Mitchell, John Rex, Dave Russell, Julia Szalai, Piotr Sztompka, Goran Therborn, Alain Touraine and Patrick Ziltener.