Part 1 Background to the current situation: economic reform and political change in Russia, 1991-96, Christopher Williams Russian sociology - problems and prospects - two perspectives, Vladimir Staroverov and Christopher Williams. Part 2 Russian society in transtition: the socio-demographic situation, Gennadi Zhuravlev et al tradition versus modernity, Nikolai Driakhlov systemic crisis and Russian society, Mikhail Rutkevich the transformation of the social structure, Alexander Khlop'ev antagonisms in Russian society, Vladimir Chuprov and Julia Zubok young people, politics and youth policy, Andrei Sharonov and Boris Ruchkin. Part 3 A sectorial analysis: social policy in Russia, Faina Kosygina and Solomon Krapivenskii labour policy, Yevgenii Katul'skii health care in transition, Christopher Williams an education system in crisis - meeting the demand of the market, Vladimir Chuprov and Julia Zubok law and order, Igor Ilynsky civil society in Russia, Valdimir Rukavishnikov et al the ethnic question, Vilen Ivanov.