The last decade has witnessed a revival of interest in the problems of modernity and modernization. In particular, three major processes have emerged as objects of debate: </p><p></p><p>"The transformations of capitalism manifested in globalization and</p><p>the unfolding of post-industrial society</p><p></p><p>"The rapid and strong economic development of countries outside the </p><p>West</p><p></p><p>"The political and economic transformations in the post-Soviet countries</p><p>of Eastern Europe