Latvia in transition provides the material necessary to understand present-day Latvia. The author examines the main events, processes and problems of the transitional period of this country from a dependent and Moscow-dominated Soviet Republic to an independent and also interdependent state. The book presents the most relevant and essential aspects of Latvia's history, politics, economics and society. The historical analysis highlights the formative events which are still recalled in Latvian political discourse. The period of awakening is discussed in detail to reflect its world-wide resonance and impact on similar processes in other Soviet Republics. The creation of a new state and the establishment of democracy have forced the elite to cope with a multitude of problems simultaneously. This book describes the approach to politics, market economics, ethnic relations and the environment.