This book gives an introduction to Russia's political and administrative system, and discusses to what extent the word of the Constitution and other major legal frameworks are followed up in practice. Special attention is given to the roles of the President, the Government, including the Ministries and other federal bodies of governance, and the Federal Assembly (the State Duma and the Federation Council). Further, the book covers areas such as centre-region relations, resource management and environmental protection, as well as the media and civil society.