ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the social, political and economic changes, which may, but need not, lead to a paradigm shift in the coordination of collective action, an attempt is made to draw a general picture of the situation of a developed country. People always tend to perceive the times in which they live as tumultuous, while idealising the allegedly peaceful and stable past. What makes our age exceptional is the technical and technological progress and the changes in the ethical standards, as well as the political and economic processes. This is undoubtedly significant from the perspective of the shape of the modern society in the so-called developed countries, and from the point of view of the problems and social challenges facing the modern state. When discussing the role and functions of the state, it is particularly important to mention the fact that a significant negative impact on economic growth is exerted by wealth inequality resulting from politically motivated reasons.
