The myriad nationalities in the Soviet Union, with their often conflicting aspirations, are a key factor in the evolution and functioning of the Soviet system. Despite official claims that the "nationalities problem" has long been solved, the repressed demands of the diverse Soviet peoples  have found vehement expression under the stimulus of Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of glasnost. The revival of nationalism and growing ethnic tensions pose a critical challenge to the Soviet leadership, raising questions about the viability of the system itself

In this comprehensive volume, leading scholars examine the policy implications of the nationalities factor, survey recent developments in the non-Russian republics, and assess the political and social ramifications of a volatile issue that promises to pose on e of the stiffest challenges to the success of Gorbachev's reform efforts.