Notes on the Contributors - List of Tables - Preface - Introduction; M.McCauley - Gorbachev as Leader; M.McCauley - State and Ideology; R.J.Hill - Law and Reform; W.E.Butler - Nationalities; B.Nahaylo - The Economy; P.Hanson - Agriculture; K.Wadekin - Foreign Trade; A.H.Smith - Labour, Motivation and Productivity; D.Land - Eastern Europe; M.Shafir - Defence and Security; C.Rice - Foreign Policy; M.Light - References - Index

In this book specialists address the main problems facing Gorbachev and are cautiously optimistic about his chances of modernising the USSR. It is absolutely essential that results in 1986 and 1987 are good otherwise he will face failure. He has been faced with serious problems in coming to power; how has he fared?