This original and far-ranging study four-year project led by a team at the Royal Institute of International Affairs. Focusing on three East Asian and three East European states, the contributors examine why and how communist states reform their foreign policy as they open to the outside world. They provide insight into the broader issue of the linkage of domestic and foreign policies, and examine ways in which states can cope with increased international interdependence.

A team of international experts examine the different kinds of reforms implemented by European and Asian communists in detail. The essays help to explain the reasons for the collapse of some communist regimes in particular the reasons why communist parties now rule virtually only in Asia since the European revolutions of 1989-1991. The contributors focus on six regions: The former Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, China, Vietnam, and the People's Democratic Republic of Korea. For each area studied, the essays explore reforms of economic and defense policy as well as ideology and patterns of cultural and communications policy.