The book describes the economic and social transformation and ideological changes of the countries to the east of the former Soviet Union. In the late 1980s, with the dramatic changes to the social structure of the Soviet Union, the world pattern underwent great changes, too. The consensus on the market's ability of spontaneous regulation became the center of reform plans, though complicated by the internal structures of non-market-oriented countries. Non-market societies are recognized as the typical symbol of backwardness. People are hastily taking off this coat that effects their images and putting on ones that show signs of a market economy, whether it's a robe, or a felt hat. All they need is something to cover themselves to show they are no strangers to fashion. Eastern Europe and China are different in terms of economy and society, and their reform approaches may not be appropriate for China. However, challenges in social reconstruction, government reform and reshaping of equity faced by the Eastern European countries as they pursue transformation will be faced by China in the future as well. Based on the empirical analysis of the different economic and social modalities in China and Eastern Europe before the reforms, the book compares and explains the different processes of reforms in China and Eastern Europe from a new perspective."