ABSTRACT
The ruling communist parties, for their part, can claim to be independent sovereignties. The Eastern European and Central European communist parties are considered to be within the Soviet Union's sphere of influence. In reviewing the situation of the communist countries, it must be noted that Yugoslavia and Albania are independent communist states, having formally freed themselves of constraints governing the relations between the other European communist states and the Soviet Union. Each of the remaining communist states represents a unique type of relationship. Soviet strategy in the underdeveloped areas places the Chinese Communists in a dilemma in regard to their attempts to counter the Soviet Union in the communist movement and in the underdeveloped areas. The Chinese have moved into the underdeveloped areas proclaiming their identity of interests as an underdeveloped state— but one that knows how to industrialize— and as a non-white one.
