The essays in this volume assess key aspects of Soviet society and social policy under Gorbachev. It provides a survey of Soviet family problems and demographic change, economic and labour policy, the alcohol problem, nationality policy, and trends in culture and communications.

Maurice Friedberg, Heyward Isham,

Chapter 1 The Contemporary Soviet Family: Problems, Issues, Perspectives, Mark G. Field; Chapter 2 Labor Problems and the Prospects for Accelerated Economic Growth, Vladimir Kontorovich; Chapter 3 A Noble Experiment? Gorbachev's Antidrinking Campaign, Vladimir G. Treml; Chapter 4 Gorbachev and the Soviet Nationality Problem, Paul A. Goble; Chapter 5 Glasnost' and Soviet Culture, Anthony Olcott; Chapter 6 Making the Media Work: Soviet Society and Communications, Ellen Mickiewicz; Chapter 7 Afterword, Heyward Isham;