States in the Developing World

An exploration of how states address the often conflicting challenges of development, order, and inclusion.

Suitable for scholars of Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and comparative politics, this empirical study presents a theory of state capacity, what it consists of, and how it may be measured. It argues that historical origins and political decisions help drive the capacity of states to meet their goals.What should states in the developing world do and how should they do it? How have states in the developing world addressed the challenges of promoting development, order, and inclusion? States in the developing world are supposed to build economies, control violence, and include the population. How they do so depends on historical origins and context as well as policy decisions. This volume presents a comprehensive theory of state capacity, what it consists of, and how it may be measured. With historical empirical illustrations it suggests that historical origins and political decisions help drive the capacity of states to meet their goals.