The second volume of the two-part edition presents the results of the research on trends of political and economic change in several leading European countries (Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and in new members of the EU). National models are characterized, and the influence that globalization and European integration exert on national development are assessed. Special attention is paid to the transformation of political institutions, to public attitudes and identities, to problems encountered by the welfare state and to the mechanisms of coping with the economic recession that have emerged over the past few years. Key issues on the current public agenda – immigration and integration policies, educational reform and energy policies – are also considered.