Philantropic capital, its investment and its distribution have been unduly neglected by the critics of capitalism. The non-profit sector, however, does have a particular "profit", i.e. creating an intellectual and ideological environment favourable for capitalism. The size and scope of this sector in the United States is assessed in the article.

The creation of universities in the post-war period represented the last phase of the enlightenment project. The failure to improve society this way brings liberalism to an end. Various scenarios of the post-liberal era can be discussed.

According to the leading study of the author in his book "La Megamachine" from 1994, technological development has become "vicious" in as much it degraded the creator of the juggernaut to just a part of the system, and sacrificed a good deal of social values previously crucial in human relations. In order to find a way out we have to go beyond "technopessimism".

Progress has been a key concept in all different approaches to the philosophy of history. However, it can always be re-considered what constitutes progress. Is it about technological development or a qualitative change or social relations, or both?

Two main scenarios of the information society are discussed and compared in an extensive study. The authors review how other researchers and philosophers interpret the main features of information technology, their relation to the concept of democracy, and particularly to the actors of democracy, i.e. parties, politicians, and citizens.