This book presents a full description of the processes by which new member countries with a universal social policy join with EU’s social policy that is based on other principles. Seen from a particular vantage point a picture of EU social policy emerges that differs remarkably from the descriptions usually offered. This book also gives a rather detailed portrayal of the development of EU social policy during the 1990’s and, especially, of the efforts of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) of 1996-7 in the field of social policy.