The “West,” the “Atlantic community,” the “transatlantic alliance”–these were expressions used widely during the decades of east-west conflict, distinguishing the West from the negative image of the eastern bloc. The end of the old political order in Eastern Europe gave the Atlantic community the opportunity to redefine its self-image. In this book, high-ranking experts and politicians examine the question of whether and to what extent this chance was used. The highly endorsed values of this community are put to the test here and the idea of a “civic society” discussed: is it the appropriate groundwork for a new bridge across the Atlantic?