ABSTRACT. On Pei’s reading, the strength or weakness of the micro- foundations of state-socialist systems provides an important explanation for the divergent patterns of economic transformation in the former socialist countries in the last decade. Janos takes advantage of historical hindsight in bringing into sharper focus similarities and differences among communist regimes in the USSR and Eastern Europe. Mahr and Nagle point out that the political re-emergence of post-communist successor parties in several nations of East-Central Europe raises the theoretical question of their role in the ongoing democratization process. Roper examines whether theories of revolution assist in explaining the Romanian revolution of December, 1989.