The book argues that in contract societies prestige is no longer an important dimension of social stratification. Empirical research shows a disruption of occupational prestige distribution patterns and low consensus in prestige ratings in Poland. Yet, all social classes still recognise prestige as a valid framework of reference.

The book surveys changes in the occupational structure, income distribution, value systems, lifestyles and attitudes which have spurred the rise of the middle class in Poland after the political turn of 1989. The emergent middle class based on the intelligentsia, executives and owners is examined for locally distinct features and future prospects.

In the first part relations between legitimization, subjective well-being, voting patterns, and the role of social cohesion in determination of political culture are shown. The second part addresses problems of validity in the interview and non-response as well as those related to understanding of questions in multi-country surveys.