People were rarely penalized for failing to do their jobs; if anything, they were punished for assuming too much responsibility. All that mattered was that they could tell a good story when they reported the imaginary results of their imaginary work. Over the years that Vladimir Putin has been running Russia, the Soviet combination of powerlessness and pretense has been recreated. Ever-swelling numbers of state employees are afraid to make a move unless directed to do so by a higher-up. But, just like their predecessors, they are finely attuned to expectations and always ready to say whatever they feel the audience is waiting to hear.