Book excerpt: Russia has a new parliament and a new president, and the shape of its future political life remains uncertain. Taking the elections of 1999 and 2000 as their starting point, the contributors to Developments in Russian Politics 5 describe the institutional framework of the post -- Yeltsin system and examine the policy choices that confront the Putin administration. This completely revised edition includes new discussions of such topics as media and political communication, crime and corruption, and Russia's continuing search for a 'national idea.' Other sections cover elections and electoral procedures, parties and organized interests, as well as economic, social, and foreign policy. Written by leading scholars from both sides of the Atlantic, Developments in Russian Politics 5 will replace earlier editions as the leading text for students of Russia and for a wider group of readers seeking a reliable and up-to-date introduction to the politics of the world's largest country.