The author privides a review of the evolution of the West-European integration, and analyses the idea and programme of single currency within the context of the neo-conservative ear, aimed at the destruction of the welfare state.

The author presents a new approach to the assessment of the bipolar world order, illuminating from the point of view of political science how the bipolar model determined domestic political structures in various parts of the world. Neoconservativism, the breakthrough of which marked the end of state socialism, is reconsidered from the point of view of technological and social progress. The conclusions concern the changing relationship between the monopolar world order and the mode of production, as well as the periodisation of 20th century history.

Some theses on how we can understand the strengthening of the so-called successor parties in our region. It seems the accendence of the "left" to government positions can give room to very limited hopes only.

Although the state socialist system did not give room for a labour market, there was indeed a reserve army, which was activated or passivised in various periods of economic policy. In this policy the employment of women was given a peculiar role, and the related labour policy was strongly interlinked with social policy and other policy areas.