Although open to authors from all nations, one of its major purposes is to further the international exchange of ideas by providing an outlet for substantial accounts of theoretical and empirical work that has not been previously published in English. With the help of an editorial board consisting of senior scholars from various European countries and the USA, the editors invite outstanding researchers to contribute to these volumes. The emphasis of these contributions is on critical assessment of major areas of research and of substantial individual programmes of research as well as on topics and initiatives of contemporary interest and originality

The authors of this tenth volume are drawn form Europe and the United States, and represent the international scope and quality which are hallmarks of this series.