Book excerpt: The end of the bipolar superpower contest for world supremacy has brought in its wake new anxieties. The economic, political, and social futures of the United States, other Western democracies, the former Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe are uncertain. This dynamic collection identifies key international problem areas and policy alternatives that the United States faces in the post-Cold War era. Topics discussed include the evolution of the welfare state, foreign policy, trade policy, participation in NATO, and policy toward Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia.