EN
This article is an introduction to the concept of the „new social risks”. Whereas this concept is well known in the Western countries debate it is almost absent in discussions on social policy in transition countries like Poland. “New social risks” were identified after the so called welfare state crisis following economic crisis of the mid 70-ties. While the old social risks did not diminish the new ones emerged. The developments that led to this emergence are presented in the article as well as the new paradigm of social policy that address the new social risks. Some examples of social policy in the context of new social risks are also shown.