States and Development: Historical Antecedents of Stagnation and Advance(Political Evolution & Institutional Change)

One of the most important issues in comparative politics is the relationship between the state and society and the implications of different relationships for long-term social and economic development. Exploring the contribution states can make to overcoming collective action problems and creating collective goods favourable to social, economic, and political development, the contributors to this significant volume examine how state-society relations as well as features of state structure shape the conditions under which states seek to advance development and the conditions that make success more or less likely. Particular focus is given to bureaucratic oversight, market functioning, and the assertion of democratic demands discipline state actions and contribute to state effectiveness. These propositions and the social mechanisms underlying them are examined in comparative historical and cross-national statistical analyses. The conclusion will also evaluate the results for current policy concerns.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; States and Development: A Theoretical Framework - M.Lange & D.Rueschemeyer; Alternative Ways of Disciplining Institutional Power and Harnessing it for Development - P.B.Evans; The Rule of Law as a Foundation for Political, Social, and Economic Development - M.Lange; Long-Lasting Effects of States on Development; The Age of States and Economic Growth - L.Putterman; The Socioeconomic Effects of Colonial Influence in Latin America - J.Mahoney & M.vom Hau; Varieties of British Colonialism and Their Impact on Socioeconomic Development - M.Lange; Commentary: Mechanisms of Long-Lasting Effects of States on Development - D.Rueschemeyer; Building States: Inherently a Long-Term Process?; Building States; Inherently a Long-Term Process? An Argument from Theory - D.Rueschemeyer; Building States; Inherently a Long-Term Process? An Argument from Comparative History - T.Ertman; State Development after Revolutions; Rapid State Building or Transforming Existing Structures under Pressure? - J.Goldstone & J.Becker; The Korean Developmental State; A Case of Rapid State Building? - B.Cumings; Commentary: Innovations with Diverse Intent, Developmental Opportunities, and Path-Dependent Change - J.Mahoney; Conclusion; States and Development: Insights from Historical Research - M.Lange & D.Rueschemeyer

About the Author :
MATTHEW LANGE is completing his dissertation research at Brown University, Rhode Island, USA. DIETRICH RUESCHEMEYER is a Research Professor at the Watson Institute for International Studies of Brown University, Rhode Island, USA.

Review :
"This book adds a whole other dimension of high quality scholarship and history to the age old debate about the state. A really refreshing book that stimulates a lot of interest." --Alice Amsden, Barton L. Wellor Professor of Political Economy, MIT, Author of "The Rise of the "Rest" " "This thought-provoking and remarkably timely volume shows the tremendous benefits of taking the long view. Lange, Rueschemeyer and their colleagues demonstrate that it takes time -- often a lot of it -- to build the political and economic foundations for successful development. More important, they show why this is so. In the process, they open up prospects for more successful interventions -- based on clear reasoning and the lessons of experience rather than wishful thinking -- designed to spread the prospects for successful development more widely and swiftly." --Paul Pierson, Professor of Political Science, UC Berkeley, Author of "Politics in Time " "Roll over Max Weber! This colle