The book’s central task is to look into the possibility of explaining theoretically the phenomenon of systemic change which we are observing right now in Central and Eastern Eu- rope. The process of transformation has economic, social, political, cultural and historical implications and is con- ditioned by all these factors. Hence, no uniform and consi- stent explanation is available presently. We may expect this to become one of the growth fields of future research. The 12 authors of the book - among others B. Blankart, L Csaba, N. Kloten, P. Pelikan, Fr. Schneider, P.P.J. Welfens - look at the transformation process from different theore- tical angles. So the reader will get acquainted with the true complexity of the phenomenon. Abstaining from direct policy advice and ready-made solutions, the book discusses some of the more fundamental problems of institutional chan- ge and transformation policy. So the book can also be used as assignment for courses on this subject.