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.

Important topic - interaction of state building and economic development is central in comparative politics and has real world implications: think Iraq

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