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Issues concerning the Labour and Conservative parties in England are examined, focusing on the relationship the parties have to US and European politics. Topics include the link between US and English liberalism and European and English conservatism.

Political fiction became a well-established and influential genre during the twentieth century. These popular political novels use dramatic portrayals of government agencies, secret agents, and common political processes combined with complex plots to influence political ideology and promote democratic beliefs.

Historians have called the series of European failed revolutions in 1848 the Springtime of Nations. Those events were unable to meet the expectations appended to them, and did not succeed because they could not bridge the gap between political needs for democracy and economic needs for stability. Switzerland avoided this trap by creating a state that changes its president every year, has no single language, and puts nearly all matters to a popular vote.

Britain's reinvention of its Labor Party was a response to political pressure and to a historical tradition that was no longer applicable to modern times. By embracing a form of socialism, the Labor Party has incorporated the ideology necessary for change and provided a viable alternative to the Conservatives, extending its practical application beyond its limited historiography.

Progressive politics can challenge the right by reinterpreting the traditional right-wing concepts of work, family and nation. Progressives must develop practical means to implement full employment, restoring and validating families regardless of how close to traditional models they are, and the formal recognition of multiculturalism as a source of national strength.

British adolescents may become the source for radical reform. The generation that came of age in 1968 generally rejected the concepts of sacrifice, responsibility and cooperation, but the 16-18-year-olds' response to examining the works of Thomas Paine suggests that group can be inspired by the ideas of social justice and individual rights. Acceptance of the status quo will probably be overturned when these adolescents mature.

The world is not running out of work, as some theorists have claimed, but the work that there is is not well distributed. Those who have jobs are working longer hours, whereas others have no work at all. In 1995, overtime hours logged amounted to the equivalent of 1.7 million additional jobs at 39 hours per week. The political economist Paul Hirst has suggested that the current global economic situation represents a return to the conditions of the 'belle epoque' before World War I, when shorter work hours became a labor issue.

The new paradigm of leftist politics emerging has a mix of old and new values, new in contrast to the British socialism which was based on the nation-state and the heritage of the Empire and the Commonwealth, post-national economics instead assumes a place. This new leftist politics as yet lacks a spokesperson as well as a utopian vision, but some are trying to fashion new utopias based on such ideas as ecology, gender equality or anti-globalization.

Intellectuals and the media need to form a relationship with the British Labour party based on a search for truth, new insights, and cooperation as the century comes to an end. The media and intellectuals have gone from the extreme of doting admiration of Margaret Thatcher to vicious attacks on John Major without a solid idea of their motivation or consequences of their action. As the political tide moves to the center the harsh critics may find their behavior self-defeating.

The Bundesbank and the Bank of England stand at the center of Germany's and England's transition to a united Europe. The more democratic institutions of Germany seem better equipped to weather the change. The Bundesbank has to give up some power to Europe, while the Bannk of England has to win back some control over the use of its money. England's fear of Europe stems partly from fear of what it might do to the Bank of England.

The intergovernmental conference (IGC) of the European Union, 1996, will focus on various problems of the EU and it will have an impact on the socio-economic and political structure of the UK. The IGC will debate over the constitution of the EU, its economic policy, defense cooperation, the issue of subsidized agriculture and the working pattern of the European Parliament. The IGC debate may induce the UK to reform its political, social and economic structure to enable it to merge completely with the EU.

The writings of Jacques Attali, former President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, exemplify the difference between the British and French political scene. In France, there is faith in people's ability to make history. Policy makers such as Attali influence the course of socio-political developments through their persuasive writings. British politicians disregard the importance of writing. They will have to believe in the power of writing to influence history before they can make historic changes.

The author discusses ways in which Russians have influenced western culture, liberal democracy and market economy, despite western sentiment to the contrary. Propositions are made to legitimize Russia as a European nation and as a large contributor to European culture.

The author recounts his history with and leadership of trade, or labor, unions and their importance for working people. Support of the UK Labour Party for unions, the increasing European tendency to move away from unions, and the importance of collective knowledge are discussed.

History is not divided into periods, but the period between 1948 and 1973 can be called the Marshall Plan ear and 1973 to 1998 can be called the Chicago-Pinochet era. The most important aspect of Marshall Plan era was global security, which included military, economic, social, and democratic security. The third way may have international dimensions such as global flow of capital, accountability, supervision, and transparency.

The perception of Europe has been saved by the european union. The destruction of national identity can be attributed to democratic politics and the power of autonomous government powerlessness. Among the lessons learned in the 20th century is that free market economics is effective.