This article presents the emerging transnational interactions and problems in the area of social policy in contemporary Europe. Firstly, it defines the concept of Social Europe, both in normative and descriptive-analytical terms. Then, it characterizes a few selected symptoms of deepening integration processes which are taking place in a multilevel "European social space". Finally, the author considers the present and future role of the European Union, and its internal bodies like the European Commission and the European Court of Justice, in developing social policy on the continental scale.

The last two decades were characterized by very dynamic changes occurring in the food chain in Poland as well as in other countries. It is often assumed that these changes may adversely affect the situation of small-scale farmers and lead to undesirable social effects. There are many examples from developing countries that support this point of view. However, experiences of transition countries may lead also to other conclusions. The paper aims to present the main arguments derived from economic theory, which can be helpful in analysing marginalization of small-scale farms. It also encourages to empirically verify a number of interesting hypotheses that could be formulated based on economic arguments.

Following article presents basic points contained in the book "The Spirit Level" by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett. Author reconstructs the authors' theory about the social consequences of income inequality and shows its main disadvantages. Empirical part of the article presents the results of the analysis conducted on the sample of 64 Polish municipalities. For each of them the main indicators of the level of income inequality, population's health, the level of social capital and sense of security were computed. The results of the analysis indicated no statistically significant correlation between the level of income inequality and analyzed indicators.

The article presents the possibility of applying the method of portfolio analysis to assess the situation on the voivodeship labor markets, and then to use its results in the allocation of the Labour Fund in the active labor market programs. The analysis was based on four diagnostic variables, namely, the registered unemployment rate, the ratio of unemployed to the population working outside agriculture, the proportion of long-term unemployed and the employment ratio. Used in the analysis of figures from reporting the current Policy, the Labour Force Survey and the Labour Fund's financial plan. Obtained by analysis and evaluation of proposals are of great value for the practice of cognitive conduct proper labor market policies and indicate the desirability of its spread in the work of employment services.

The leisure management in the urban and rural households is characterized in the article. The main aim of this work was to present: the ways of leisure in the households, the financial ability to meet the needs of recreational services, leisure equipment in households and satisfaction connected with leisure management. The article shows the differences that occur in this respect in the rural and urban households. The article refers to data collected by Central Statistical Office and the research project "Social Diagnosis".

Book reviews
Information

TRANSNATIONAL SOCIAL POLICY IN EUROPE - Włodzimierz Anioł
CHANGES IN THE AGRO-FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN AND SMALL-SCALE FARMS' EXCLUSION FROM MODERN MARKETS: WHAT DOES THE ECONOMIC THEORY TELL US? - Jan Fałkowski, Dominika Milczarek-Andrzejewska
IN SEARCH FOR 'GENERAL THEORY OF EVERYTHING': DO SOCIAL INEQUALITES ARE HARMING US? - Jędrzej Stasiowski
APPLICATION OF THE PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS METHOD FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION ON THE VOIVODESHIP LABOUR MARKETS - Krzysztof Sadowski

FROM RESEARCH AND STUDIES

LEISURE MANAGEMENT IN THE URBAN AND RURAL HOUSEHOLDS - Krystyna Gutkowska, Anna Murawska

Zenon Wiśniewski, Kamil Zawadzki (eds.): ACTIVE LABOUR MARKET POLICY IN POLAND AND EUROPEAN CONTEXT - Reviewed by Elżbieta Kryńska
Johanna Mair, Jeffrey Robinson, Kai Hockerts (eds.): SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUSHIP - Reviewed by Halina Sobocka-Szczapa