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Seemingly the European Union topic, globalisation and new international order issues have received enough attention, with scores of books published on the subject, innumerable conferences and seminars held, both in Poland as well as in countries all over the world, Western Europe in particular. Despite all that, many questions bothering academics and politicians remained unanswered, not to mention ordinary people in EU member states and countries aspiring to the Union membership. Still no one knows in what direction the changes should proceed, in relation to the European Union as well as the rest of the world, commonly referred to as globalisation or economic globalisation processes. We still do not know the future shape of Europe or the world. It is unknown to us what the new international order will look like, what main centres of power will develop, responsible for worldwide harmony, security, and peace. For that very reason the European Union idea, globalisation and integration processes have as many supporters as adversaries. What's more, those who until recently were the enthusiasts of globalisation, are saying today, like the Noble laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz, that the way "in which globalisation is conducted, (…) should be thoroughly well-thought-out again". At the same time we observe the renaissance of all kind of nationalisms and attempts to glorify the concept of an ethnic state, as a counterweight to commonwealth and above-national structures. It appears that the ideas that once united Europe, peace and prosperity, are not sufficient today.

France with its turbulent history, of foreign affairs and rich culture, has over the centuries been a fascinating topic of academic research for historians, political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, culture experts and publicists. And no wonder, since this country – as a continental superpower – was always conducting its politicson a global scale and was – still is – an important player in the international arena. From medieval times, the 17th century especially, France has been considered an important centre of European and world culture, even of civilisation in general, who's status and role grew stronger in the Napoleonic era, when the French language became the language of diplomacy and politics, the language of people of science and culture. Culture, its rich content and spiritual values quickly became a part of France's foreign policy.

Modernisation of the European Union or just another modifi cation? Such a dilemma appears regularly during all inter-governmental conferences, specially before and after approving another revision treaty for the European Union. To answer such a question, fi rst the essence and meaning of these terms has to be explained, and to do so, the best option is to refer to their etymology. And so, according to the PWN "Dictionary of Foreign Words", 'modification' »latin modification = measuring« is a change, transformation, remake; a modifi ed object, while 'modernisation' »fr. moderne = modern« is making something modern or making something contemporary'. Therefore, modernisation shall mean a broader and deeper process, these are actions leading to radical transformations and changes as compared to modifi cation, which usually precedes modernisation. It may then be said that as far as the European Union is concerned, commencing from its origination by the Maastricht treaty of 7th February 1992 till the latest revision treaty, i.e. the Lisbon treaty which became eff ective on 1st December 2009, we only witnessed its successive (permanent) modifi cation, that is slow transformations which were generally named extension and enhancement processes. Today, after nearly twenty years of remakes and use, the European Union needs not only a radical overhaul but rather modernisation, meaning its update and adapting to contemporary times. Today, the European Union requires adaptation to challenges and requirements of the 21st century determined by acceleration and globalisation progressing within all spheres of life.

Intro -- Introduction (Józef M. Fiszer) -- Chapter 1. The Euro-Atlantic System Today and its Prospects in the New Global Order -- 1.1. Introduction -- 1.2. Evolution of the Euro-Atlantic system at the turn of the XX and XXI centuries -- 1.3. Shaping the multi-polar world order - determinants, opportunities and threats -- 1.4. The Future of the Euro-Atlantic System in the Multi-polar World -- 1.5. Conclusion -- Chapter 2. Rising Powers, Global Governance and the New International Order - Challenges for the European Union and the United States -- 2.1. Introduction -- 2.2. Quantifying the new international order -- 2.3. Heterogeneous and defensive alliance of the rising powers -- 2.4. Rising Powers and the Global Governance Architecture -- 2.5. Conclusion -- Chapter 3. The European Union and the United States in the process of shaping a new architecture of global governance in a transatlantic perspective -- 3.1. Introduction -- 3.2. Transatlantic relations and the new architecture of world order -- 3.3. Conclusion -- -- 4.1. Introduction -- 4.2. China and Asia-Pacific - a double challenge -- 4.2.1.The change in economic and military balance of power -- 4.2.2. Rising risk of conflict in the region -- 4.3. China as a geo-economic competitor -- 4.3.1.China as a technological superpower? -- 4.3.2.China as global power -- 4.4. The tasks of the West -- 4.5. Conclusion -- Chapter 5. Differentiated Integration in the European Union and its Prospects in the Context of Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policies -- 5.1. Introduction -- 5.2. What is the nature of differentiation in the European Union? -- 5.3. Typologies of internal and external differentiation -- 5.4. Differentiated integration as an opportunity for stalled enlargement and neighbourhood policies -- 5.4.1. Is flexible membership acceptable to candidate and neighbouring states?.