The book represents views of leading domestic and foreign independent experts on the future of Belarus, views, which are based on an analysis of the key problems of its modern development: the formation of national identity, political and socio-economic development, geopolitical identity. Scholars from various fields of social science, and civil society leaders are considering various scenarios of development of the Belarusian society and the state, are providing short-term and long-term forecasts. The book designed for policymakers, opinion leaders, scholars, journalists and all who are interested in problems and the future of Belarus.

In a brochure published by the Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions, is presented the results of IISEPS comprehensive study, including qualitative (discussion in focus groups in several cities in Belarus) and quantitative (national poll) parts. Study investigates the major problems of the labor market and labor relations for women and youth, as the most vulnerable in today's Belarus, as well as their involvement in the activities of independent labor unions. Designed for trade union activists and leaders of the labor movement, women's and youth organizations.

This book continues experience a previous book "Youth and Civil Society: Belarusian Variant" published by IISEPS in 1999, and analyzes youth developments including social-demographical, socio-economic, public-political, geopolitical, legal and national identity in comparative perspectives. The most important document (on legal regulations, state youth policy, profiles of leading youth associations) provided in the Annex. Well grounded analysis and recommendations intend to strengthen youth contribution to the development of civil society in the country.

A new book by Prof. Oleg Manaev continues tradition of previous books ("Sociological Experiences" of 1991-2000 and 2001-2005"), and summaries almost twenty years research experience of IISEPS. The book analyses the most important problems of civil society development in Belarus, including issues of "Social Context", "Political Process", "Information Space", "Free Thought", "World Around" and various public resonances. Author's major idea is rethinking theoretical foundations and practical implementations of civil society development in Belarus after dramatic events of December 2010 Presidential elections, and formulation of a new strategy for it inside and outside the country.

Analysis of geopolitical self-determination which Belarus currently undergoes is the main target of this book. In the first section authors make an attempt to answer the question "Where are we going?" and examine geopolitical alternatives for this country. In the second they answer the question "What are the conditions under which this choice is made?" and outline its geopolitical framework. In the third they answer the question "Who makes this choice?" and investigate into main agents of this choice.
Despite historic, political, economic, social, legal and even religious and philosophical arguments in favor of multi-directional and open foreign politics for Belarus, reasoning, standpoints and conclusions of authors are rather diverse and sometimes appear contradictory. Thus, some see the future of this country within the Grand Europe, other - as a bridge between Europe and Asia, yet another believe that Belarus is doomed to live under Russia's influence while some other incline to the "third way" which more and more acquires the traits of isolationism. However, such polyphony doesn't confuse but rather help understand the very issue of country's geopolitical self-determination.

Analysis of presidential elections in this country as well as various documents showing the most important facts and conclusions presented in this book cover the years 1994-2006 and let the reader trace transformation of not only elections but the society and the state in general. Whatever is the perspective from which presidential elections are considered, almost all authors come to the conclusion that in 1994 it was carried under restricted but still democracy and in 2006 it has become the reflection of unlimited authoritarian rule built for 12 years of A. Lukashenko's presidency in Belarus. On the one hand, transformation of presidential elections has become the result of developing authoritarian rule. On the other hand, these are the presidential elections that have become a key mechanism of society and state development since this is via them that restrictions on authoritarian system were gradually lifted up.

The second book includes statements of the author in press in 2001-2005. It is not a common publicism, but original mixtures of journalism with social researches and analysis. Its sub-title "Sociological experiences" continues tradition started in the first book (Experiences of 1991-2000), and reflects author's experience in the sphere of sociological researches and analysis of emerging of civil society in independent Belarus as well as an experience of direct participation in this process ("civil constructing", by the author). By the genre it consists of analytical essays, interviews, reports at scientific and public forums, and also texts written for the different structures of civil society. For policy makers and public opinion leaders, analysts and journalists, all those who is interested in problems of social science and politics.

The Book's general idea is to show and to argue a principle differences, advantages and disadvantages between the state-run and independent social research in a Post-communist society in case of Belarus. There are different social actors in a transition society interested in the promotion of "their own realities" which could coincide neither with each other nor with existing social reality. A constant fighting between major social actors could be presented as a fighting between "different realities" or, strictly speaking, "presentations of these realities". Each of these actors tries to use different means to promote its own reality, and to win, i.e. introduce it as the only one existing reality. Under the circumstances of a transitional society with mixture of various realities (that, besides, are very unstable and "floating"), the "fighting for reality" becomes extremely complicated, sometimes thankless and even dangerous task.

The book represents the results of cooperation of independent research and analytical centers united in public association "Belarusian Think Tanks". Leading experts basing on the data of various researches are trying to figure out what are the main results of Belarusian society development in the end of ХХ century, focusing their attempts on four main issues: institutions of society and elites, economy of retard development, power and civic society, Belarus and new Europe. The book is specified by the diverse and original assessments, as well as great amount of empirical data reflecting newly trends of public, political and socio-economic development of Belarus on its way to the third millenium.

The book includes statements of the author in press in 1991-2000. It is not a common publicism, but original mixtures of journalism with social researches and analysis. The is titled "Sociological experiences", because it reflects author's experience in the sphere of sociological researches and analysis of emerging of civil society in independent Belarus as well as an experience of direct participation in this process ("civil engineering", by the author). By the genre it consists of analytical essays, interviews, reports at scientific and public forums, and also texts written for the different structures of civil society.

Third volume of directory, corrected and supplemented, includes detailed information about leading independent research and analytical centres in Belarus. It is convenient in use because profile of each centre has been formed according to general categories, used in similar international editions: the year of foundation, legal status, mission, main activities, executed and planned projects, board, administrative and professional staff, books and periodicals conferences and seminars, sources of income, partners and also all addresses including e-mail and web site. The directory is intended for researchers and analysts, journalists, policymakers, diplomats -- everyone who is interested in socio-economic, public and political development of Belarus.

This book summarises the results of various research procedures conducted by Independent Institute of Socio-Economic & Political Studies in 1998-1999 (national public opinion poll, interview with experts and policymakers, interview with leaders and activists of main youth associations, documentary analysis of legal framework of state youth policy, analysis of program documents of leading youth associations, content-analysis of media coverage of youth problems by state run and independent press). The authors analyse a system of political, economic, legal, social-cultural and religious-ethic values of contemporary Belarusian youth, as well as conditions, mechanisms and results of its public activity.

This book is a collective work by Belarusian, Russian and western scientists and journalists on the political and social problems of contemporary Belarus. The articles included into the book are devoted to such problems as the national consciousness of Belarusians, development of the political parties system of Belarus, the nature of Lukashenko's regime etc.

The book is devoted to the comparative analysis of competitiveness of the countries following the way of market reforms. It is based on the statistics (over 100 parameters) and also on the results of the businessmen opinion poll. The book presents datum on 20 countries, including Belarus. All information concerning Belarus has been prepared by IISEPS, analytical report has been prepared by Dr. Igor Pelipas. The book is available first of all to the chief state officials, heads of large corporations and banks, who make decisions on investments, and for ones who are interested in the problems of countries of transition economy.

The monograph is a unique example of comparative analysis of problems of mass media, state and audience interaction in transitive societies. It presents the discussion among leading specialists in mass communication of countries of CIS as well as Western Europe, North and South America. The book is intended for the scientists, researches, students specialising in social science, journalists and politicians -- for everyone who is interested in problems of democracy and mass media.