These four volumes, edited by two well-known analysts of post-communist politics, brings together distinguished specialists to provide specially commisioned, up-to-date essays on twenty-seven post-communist countries. Each contributor analyzes both progress made toward democratization, and the underlying social, economic, cultural and political factors shaping that process. All chapters contain information on the emergence of political parties, the electoral process, institutional reform, and socio-economic trends. Each volume also contains chapters by the editors comparing the overall trends within these countries with similar transitions and democratization processes elsewhere.