Russian politics is post-communist, but there is little consensus about the nature of the political system that has emerged during the Putin presidency. The chapters of this international collection focus on the issues of interpretation that arise from the political system as a whole, but also on individual institutions such as the presidency and the security police, which some have seen as dominant. Attention is paid to the socioeconomic dimension of political power, the major organised interests, and the industrial magnates that have become known as the "oligarchs" and the place they occupy in public opinion, the media, and contemporary culture. Putin has certainly enjoyed a remarkable level of popularity over his eight years of office; but the authors of this collection, from various viewpoints, suggest the ruling group as a whole may face an uncertain future.