Michael Waller was Director of European Studies at the University of Keele. Stéphane Courtois is Director of REsearch at the French National Centre for Scientific Research. Marc Lazar is Director of the Doctoral School at the Paris Institute of Political Studies.

• Introduction: Another Crossroads for Communism Communist Parties and the Trade Unions: The History of a Partnership 1. The Origins of the Trade Union Question in the Communist world 2. The Crisis of Communism and Trade Unionism in Western Europe The Fruits of Sponsorship: Communist Parties and ‘Their’ Unions 3. Growing Whilst Declining: The Case of the Italian CGIL The Italian Communist Part and the CGIL: A Survey 3. The French Communist Party and the CGT: Problems of Adaptation 4. Trade Unions and Communism in Spain: The Role of the CCOO in the Political Projects of the Left Problems of Rivalry: Communist Parties Faced By a Strong Social Democracy 5. A Drama in Three Acts: Communism and Social Democracy in The Netherlands Since 1945 6. The Belgian Communist Party and the Trade Unions, 1940-60 7. Trade Unions, the Left and the Labour Part in Britain Dilemmas and Opportunities in Central Europe 8. Transformations in the Polish Social Environment in the 1980s 9. Workers’ Behaviour and Interests in Socialist Society Conclusion: Communist Parties and Trade Unions: Crisis of a Relationship.