[en] Possibly, the two most important processes in the radiolysis of polymers are crosslinking and degradation. This is true in both a fundamental and applied sense. In order to discuss these processes, many of the fundamental, i.e. initial short lived events will be considered. The technique used is primarily rapid subnanosecond pulsed radiolysis with pulses of 0.4 mev electrons, coupled with spectroscopic techniques, rapid emission and absorption spectra. In some instances it is instructive to compare and contrast the radiolytic data with similar studies using pulsed laser methods, where the energies are much less, while the resulting radiation induced processes are simpler. From a chemical view point, much can be gained from considering similar radiolytic process in simple liquids. In order to cover a reasonable gambit, the following three polymers, polystyrene, polyethylene and polyvinyl alcohol will receive particular attention, and compared to the radiolysis of alkyl benzene, hydrocarbons and alcohols. Data on co-polymers of the above will also be reported, and compared to the radiolysis of comparable liquid mixtures. An additional feature to be pondered in this study is the effect of the rigidity of the polymers compared to liquids. In the past this has been considered a drawback of the polymer systems. However, the rigidity is, along with energetics of the system, a major player influencing radiation induced crosslinking compared to degradation in polymer systems. Finally, the effect of several additives, arenes, acetylene, on the crosslinking and degradation events will be considered, and the unique features of derivatization of the polymers with these additives illustrated. In a nutshell, the talk will incorporate recent fast pulsed radiolytic and pulsed laser studies in our laboratory to describe early radiation induced events in polymer system. The discussion of mechanism will also bring in data from other laboratories in this area of research