This book is based on the thesis that the process of European integration is far more than just the building and further development of institutions. It is far more than the adjustment of economic and political procedures in a changing environmental and ever new challenges. Instead it is a social process which takes place even if the "social dimension" is underexposed by the official policy. And just this makes it all the more interesting because it shows the limits and opportunities to influence "great history" by the social basis of soci(et)al being - the peoples and their organisations. The main foci of the chapters in this book are: the role and function of social policy, and the role and function of civil society, namely the NGOs.