Information Society and the EU at the Beginning of the 21st Century: The competitive economy

The forms and means of economic relations are changing as a result of the global spread of electronic devices. In the era of globalisation, a country can only maintain or improve its citizens? quality of life if it creates a modern, innovative, competitive economy. A national economy can only be effective on a global, world economy scale if it relies on a competitive society. The members of a competitive society are able and ready to communicate and co-operate, gain new knowledge and acquire new abilities, and find effective answers and solutions to the new phenomena and problems appearing in their environment. A competitive society is ?served? by an effective and professional state organising services of administration, health care, local self-government, education etc. at prices and costs that are ?competitive? on a global scale, too. This activity is inconceivable without the extensive everyday application of the newest achievements in information technology and technology. My purpose is to present the modified forms of commerce and economy at the beginning of the 21st century, and, especially, the legislative initiatives concerning electronic signature in the EU.