JOHN FITZMAURICE studied politics and economics and has worked for the European Commission in Brussels since British accession to the European Union. He also lectures in politics at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. He has written extensively on European Politics. In recent years, he has specialised in Central and Eastern Europe, writing books on Austria, the Baltic States and the Gabcikovo/Nagymaros Dam conflict between Hungary and Slovakia.

• Acknowledgements Introduction A Modern History of the Region The Collapse of Communism Economy and Society Theories of Transition Constitution Building The Presidency The Governments Local Government The Judiciary Parliaments The Party Systems Other Political Actors Foreign Policy Sources and Bibliography Index