The authors - leading specialists on the former Soviet Union and the new Russia - examine the importance of innovative ideas in bringing about the downfall of Communism. Though it remains a significant presence in Russian politics, even the Communist Party has largely abandoned Marxist-Leninist doctrine. Archie Brown, the late Alexander Dallin, the late Alec Nove, Gail Lapidus, T.H. Rigby and Igor Timofeyev examine the relationship between political change and innovative concepts in key areas of policy.