pt. 1. Introduction -- Democracy, the market, and the return to Europe : from communism to the European Union and NATO / Sharon L. Wolchik and Jane L. Curry -- pt. 2. Policies and issues -- The political transition / Valerie Bunce -- Re-creating the market / Sharon Fisher -- Ethnicity, nationalism, and the expansion of democracy / Zsuzsa Csergo -- Women's participation in postcommunist politics / Marilyn Rueschemeyer -- EU accession and the role of international actors / Ronald Linden -- Security issues : NATO and beyond / Jeffrey Simon and Joshua Spero -- pt. 3. Case studies -- Poland : the politics of "God's playground" / Jane L. Curry -- The Czech and Slovak Republics : two paths to the same destination / Sharon L. Wolchik -- Hungary : appraising the past and adjusting to the present / Federigo Argentieri -- The Baltic States : changes and challenges in the new Europe / Daina Stukuls Eglitis -- Buglaria : progress and development / Janusz Bugajski -- Former Yugoslavia and its successors / Mark Baskin and Paula Pickering -- Romania since 1989 : living beyond the past / John Gledhill and Charles King -- Ukraine : muddling along / Taras Kuzio -- Albania : the challenges of transition / Elez Biberaj -- pt. 4. Conclusion: What now? / Sharon L. Wolchik and Jane L. Curry