Editor's Introduction

This issue of >i>Problems of Economic Transition>/i> presents a variety of articles that survey many of the most important issues facing transitioning economies. The background to this collection of articles is the near stagnation of economic reform and development in many of the Newly Independent States, first of all Russia. Over the course of the past twelve months, Russian economic policymaking has been largely adrift. President Yeltsin was hampered or distracted by important regional elections, his own presidential election, serious health crises, an uncooperative parliament, political jockeying and infighting among key political and economic personalities and interest groups, and an increasing focus on foreign policy problems, particularly NATO enlargement.