National education systems across Europe are being brought into the service of a 'competitive knowledge-based economy' and of 'social cohesion'. Moreover what it is to be a citizen and how the new citizens should be educated are issues Subject to research and educational initiatives in many European countries. The European Union is now, directly or indirectly, shaping the major orientations of European education systems. This book is the result of a Socrates/Erasmus 'Intensive Programme' on contemporary European education policies. It brings together contributions which address the above themes from a variety of standpoints.