This book analyzes the reform of the socialist system in Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Uniquely, it adopts a multi-disciplinary perspective which includes authors from both Western Europe and the former communist world. The volume contains analyses of: the prospects for civil society; economic reform and privatization; theories of economic transition and the role of the state; political change and the presence of former communist parties; the prospects for democracy in the former Soviet Union, and gender aspects of labor market reform.