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This article discusses the historical background & content of Lenin's work on imperialism as the most evolved form of capitalism. This work, originally published in 1916, has captured renewed attention because of events on the international socio-economic stage. Lenin's distinction between capitalistic imperialism & military imperialism became a determining factor in the self-understanding of Marxists throughout the world, particularly in under-developed regions. In addition, this distinction also became a pivotal factor in Russian understanding of the revolution as a truly social revolution, thereby acting as a critical instrument in the country's understanding of its own history. Lenin's thinking is here also considered from a contemporary standpoint in which capitalism exists on a global scale. His view that social & political life in any given place would become increasingly dependent on what developments took place elsewhere is thereby suggested to be well ahead of its time in this respect. C Brunski

Fragile or failed states are often caused by long lasting and violent conflicts - Liberia is one of them. Since the war ceased in 2003, the United Nations and its coalition of states have tried to rebuild the nation and maintain its peace. Nation building can be seen from two different angles: as a Weberian legal and rational order or as a process that highlights social and contextual factors. Within social sciences this process can be studied either by looking into what factors contribute to a successful nation building or how this process works in practice. The article focuses on the former, by listing and analyzing the involved UN institutions with an emphasis on the Peacebuilding Commission and Peacebuilding Fund. L. Pitkaniemi

According to Alfred Nobel's original intent the Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to the person or group who has 'done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses'. The peace prize committee has since its original distribution expanded the definition of peace to include righteous social, economic or environmental action that has brought the committee its share of criticism. Even worse the peace price has previously been distributed to controversial laureates such as Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Root and Hendry Kissing, and the infamous dictators Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin have received a nomination. L. Pitkaniemi

The rebirth of the Liberal Party (LP), which has taken place in recent yrs in GB, can be explained, according to certain experts, by the upheaval in pol'al life due to the revolt of the Mc's Mc's against the 2 major parties. The Conservatives are decadent with power, but their decline has not profited the worker. This phenomenon has its roots in the evolution of the society. About 1890, a rupture in the core of the LP occurred which was followed by the replacement of the LP by the Labor Party after 1920. After a new 30 yr cycle the line of separation between the major tendencies of British pol'al life is again a question. In effect, the Laborites have realized their program after 1945 & are therefore in a defensive position. The Conservatives have not made an issue of the Welfare State & have tended to be pol'ly moderate. However, the effect of the soc reforms has been to increase the numbers of the Mc while reducing the standard of living of the wealthy & improving that of the Wc. This Mc is not satisfied with the programs of the major parties, as has been demonstrated by various minor elections & opinion polls. However, it must be remembered that the voters behave differently in general elections than they do in minor elections. Be that as it may, the possibility of a Parliament without a majority, & with some 40 or so LP members making the diff between the 2 major parties, must not be ignored as an eventuality in the near future. Tr by J. A. Broussard from IPSA.