Bosnia and the North Caucasus are ethnically diverse, post-communistsocieties, where the different ethnic groups at times haveco-existed peacefully and at other times have found themselves atodds with one another or their governments. This study examinesbeliefs in the possibility of inter-ethnic cooperation in eachsociety, based on survey instruments aimed at measuring attitudesand preferences towards the contemporary situation,socio-demographic characteristics, and the nature of cross-nationalrelations in the light of experiences of conflict and continuedunsettled political environment of the region. Our dependentvariable, belief in the possibility of inter-ethnic cooperation, isa categorical variable based on responses the following survey stub:\emph{Among national groups, it is possible to create cooperationbut never to fully trust.} We measure and correct for surveyresponse incomparability across BiH and the North Caucasus by usingthe anchoring vignette along with an estimation technique calledchopit (short for compound hierarchical ordered probit), whichallows us to incorporate anchoring vignettes.We find that there is a substantial belief in the possibility ofinter-ethnic cooperation both in BiH and the North Caucasus, inspite of substantial inter-ethnic violence in each location.Moreover, it appears that while the violent ethnic conflict in therecent history of BiH has created greater barriers to inter-ethniccooperation, but the vast majority of Croats, Bosniacs, and Serbs,agree or strongly agree that cooperation is possible, even withoutthe elusive inter-ethnic --trust.'' The same is true in the NorthCaucasus region, although we have not been able to conduct surveysin Chechnya or Ingusetia. Beyond ascriptive and demographiccharacteristics, very few attitudinal variables seem to be importantin determining this belief in the possibility of cooperation.However, --pocketbook'' issues seem quite prominent as those in BiHand the North Caucasus who believe that things are getting betterand who also have higher levels of material well being are moreoptimistic about cooperation. Those still struggling to survive, orwho perceive their situation to continue to deteriorate are lessoptimistic about inter-ethnic cooperation.The full paper is available by request from mdw@u.washington.edu. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]