A description of the contemporary Russian economy on the basis of an analysis of economic policy-making structures and procedures. The empirical detail is concentrated in the heavy industry sector, although the relationships between all sectors receive attention. All sources of policy-making input are examined - the presidency and central governmental agencies, sectoral state agencies, industrial representative associations, parliament and the regions, and individual enterprises. Policy-making procedures receive considerable attention, as part of an effort to distinguish sharply between formal and informal styles of policy making.