State Building and Late Development
"A compelling argument . . . Clearly written and carefully argued."—Choice"David Waldner's book is an impressive contribution to the debate over economic growth and development in late-developing countries."—Derek Hall, Millennium: Journal of International Studies. 1999."This is an ambitious project; it tells of the origins of institutions and success of strategies for economic development. . . The argument is provocative, erudite, and wide-ranging; it will appeal to social scientists interested in learning more about how Middle East countries look in comparison to those of East Asia."—Ellis Goldberg, Princeton University, Political Science Quarterly. Winter, 1999-2000."Waldner's book makes an important contribution to Middle East area studies and the literature on development in general, thanks to its elegant rebuttal of monocausal arguments. . . This book provides an important step forward in the study of comparative politics. It is a rare attempt to combine multiple variables into a sophisticated yet eloquent model that addresses important issues in the Middle East and developing world."—Saime Ozcurumez, McGill University. Canadian Journal of Political Science, Vol. 34, No. 2"Waldner demonstrates in a masterly way the benefits of genuine comparative inquiry; contributes to our understanding of the painful results of economic development in the Middle East; and uses Middle Eastern cases to advance our understanding of the complicated and mediated linkage between state formation and economic development. This ambitious book deserves a wide audience."—Michael Barnett, University of Wisconsin, Madison. International Journal of Middle East Studies, Vol. 32, 2000