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When Vladimir Putin claimed "outside forces" were at work during the Ukrainian Orange Revolution of 2004, it was not just a case of paranoia. In this uprising against election fraud, protesters had been trained in political organization and nonviolent resistance by a Western-financed democracy building coalition. Putin's accusations were more than just a call to xenophobic impulses-they were a testament to the pervasive influence of transnational actors in the shaping of postcommunist countries. Despite this, the role of transnational actors has been downplayed or dismissed by many theorists. Realists maintain that only powerful states assert major influence, while others argue that transnational actors affect only rhetoric, not policy outcomes. The editors of this volume contend that transnational actors have exerted a powerful influence in postcommunist transitions. They demonstrate that transitions to democracy, capitalism, and nation-statehood, which scholars thought were likely to undermine one another, were facilitated by the integration of Central and East European states into an international system of complex interdependence. Transnational actors turn out to be the "dark matter" that held the various aspects of the transition together. Transnational actors include international governmental and nongovernmental organizations, corporations, banks, foundations, religious groups, and activist networks, among others. The European Union is the most visible transnational actor in the region, but there are many others, including the OSCE, NATO, Council of Europe, the Catholic Church, and the Soros Foundation. Transnational Actors in Central and East European Transitions assembles leading scholars to debate the role and impact of transnational actors and presents a promising new research program for the study of this rapidly transforming

Intro -- Contents -- Foreword -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- Overview -- Chapter 1 Introduction -- Who are the Roma? -- Poverty in Transition -- History -- Roma Diversity, Culture, and Social Exclusion -- Policy Approaches and Debates -- Conclusions -- Chapter 2 An Overview of Roma Poverty and Welfare -- Measurement Challenges -- How Is Poverty Measured? -- An Analysis of Roma Poverty in Three Countries -- Correlates of Poverty -- Multivariate Analysis of Roma Poverty -- Housing -- Labor Market Status -- Developments in Transition -- Education Status -- Health Status -- Conclusions -- Chapter 3 Poverty and Exclusion: Roma Settlements in the Slovak Republic -- Roma in Slovakia -- Poverty in Roma Settlements -- Economic Activities and Coping Strategies -- Access to Social Services -- Reducing Poverty in Settlements -- Chapter 4 Roma Diversity in Romania -- From Slavery to Ceauşescu -- The Transition Period and Beyond -- The Diversity of Roma Settlements -- Income Sources and Economic Opportunities -- Access to Social Services -- Social and Ethnic Relations -- Current Policy Developments -- Conclusions -- Chapter 5 Project Experience in Hungary -- A Regional Frontrunner -- Government Policies and Approaches -- Project Experience: An Overview -- Project Case Studies -- Project Experience: Lessons Learned -- Conclusions -- Chapter 6 Roma in Spain -- Roma in Spain: A Western European Example -- The National Program for the Development of Roma -- European Union Support for Roma in Spain -- Conclusions -- Chapter 7 The Road Ahead -- The Nature of Roma Poverty and Policy Context -- Policy Implications and Approaches -- Policy Directions -- Conclusions -- Notes -- References -- About the Authors -- Index -- BOXES -- 1 In Their Own Words -- 2.1 Who Are the Roma? -- 2.2 Spatial Segregation within Roma Settlements -- 2.3 Measuring Unemployment.