This volume elaborates on a number of issues that seem particular important for the people in Central and Eastern Europe: the development and working of democracy, the public support for, legitimacy and efficacy of democracy and the free market economy, and of course the stability of the newly established political culture.

Loek Halman, PhD. (1991) Tilburg University, is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Tilburg University, The Netherlands. His publications focus on values and attitudes in contemporary society and the dynamics of value change.
Malina Voicu, PhD. ( 2004) University of Bucharest, is Senior Researcher with The Research Institute for the Quality of Life, Romanian Academy of Science. Her publications focus on changes in values and attitudes in Central and Eastern Europe.