The West has discovered Islam as a new enemy. According to this, religious fundamentalism threatens democracy in all circumstances. This view hides the dictatoric features of some West-oriented re­gimes, does not take into account the plurality of Islamic move­ments, some of which has been able to integrate the values of both pluralism and modernity.

The article attacks all those stereotypes which, from a Eurocentric view, completely misinterpret the contemporary Islam. It discusses the historical evolution of Islamic movements, and highlights the dif­ferences between various tendencies within Isla.

Bankers and politicians claim time after time that the debt crisis had come to an end and the normal mode of operation of the financial system had been restored. However, the facts deny this fake opti­mism. Although the position of most banks has been stabilised, for­eign debts represent a heavy burden on developing countries, with various types of economic, social, and environmental damage.

A simultaneous country study describes, how the relationship be­tween economic development and social conflicts appeared as a crucial problem in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic in the last few decades. The authors explain what alternatives were faced by populist leaders in the 1970s, and what were the consequences of subsequent neo-liberal economic policies.