Foreword Preface; W.Bie?kowski, J.C.Brada & M.-J.RadLo PART I: THE CREATION AND REFORM OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL Lessons from Sweden's Welfare State: An American-Swedish Perspective; B.Swedenborg Flexicurity in Denmark: A Model for Labor Market Reforms in the EU?; P.K.Madsen Slovakia: A Story of Reforms; I.Mikloš The Czech Socio-Economic Model and its Evolution from the Start of Transition to 2007; K.Dyba Institutional Transplants in the Transformation of Poland's Economy and Polity; J.Rostowski The European Union and the New Member States' Dilemmas: The Case of Poland; W.Bie?kowski PART II: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SECURITY IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE New Challenges for the European Model and How to Cope With It; K.Aiginger Beyond Models and Regulations: Eastward Expansion vs. Retrenchment in the 'New' EU?; W.D.Connor Economic Freedom, Confidence and Growth; S.H.Hanke PART III: KEY SECTORS IN THE SEARCH FOR GROWTH AND SECURITY Public Finances and Structural Reforms in the US and the EU: Lessons for the New Member States; F.Keereman & S.Steinlein Competition and Solidarity in Higher Education: A Reform Proposal Aiming at Improving Quality and Enhancing Security: Example of Hungary; L.Bokros Growth versus Security Choice and the Generational Difference in Preferences; S.GomuLka In Search of a Perfect Regulatory System; E.Freyberg Conclusions; W.Bie?kowski, J.C.Brada & M.-J.RadLo