"This is the most important book on state-building to appear in
recent years. In addition to offering the definitive account of
Italy's and Germany's creation, Ziblatt's work also sets the agenda
for future scholarship on the comparative study of federalism. Rich
narrative combined with theoretical sophistication bring new life
to a very important set of debates about the origins of federalism
and nation-states more broadly. This work should be read by
specialists of Italian and German political development and
comparative politics and by students of political institutions more
broadly."--Sergio Fabbrini, Political Science, University of
Trento, editor of "Italian Journal of Political Science"
"With calm, knowledgeable precision, Daniel Ziblatt wades into
the adjacent swamps of federalism and nineteenth-century European
history, emerging with hands full of gems. Beneath the tangle of
great statesmen and national culture he discovers conflicting
regional political interests, sharp regional variations in
political capacity, fearful defenses against excessive democracy,
coercive conquest of weak states, and unintended consequences
galore. Read, think, and learn."--Charles Tilly, Columbia
University
"A work of the highest quality and significance, "Structuring
the State" represents an original contribution to both political
science and macrohistorical sociology for three reasons. First, it
applies a variety of quantitative methods to the kind of
comparative historical problem that is usually approached in an
entirely qualitative way. Second, it overcomes the old division
between society- and state-centered explanations for Italian and
German unification by integrating them in acreative manner, while
also pointing to other factors often overlooked in standard
accounts. Finally, it challenges directly the dominant rational
choice model of federalism by refuting the contention that
politicians at the center are always power maximizers."--Thomas
Ertman, New York University, author of "Birth of the Leviathan:
Building States" and "Regimes in Medieval and Early Modern
Europe"
"In "Structuring the State," Daniel Ziblatt contends that
previous scholarship in political science has overlooked a key
determinant of state structure, namely the pre-existing
administrative and institutional capacity in newly absorbed states.
Well-organized, well written, and employing the most advanced
methods of comparative-historical research in a sophisticated and
clear fashion, the book moves forward with clarity and grace.
Political scientists, sociologists, and historians working on the
development of modern organizations--and indeed policy makers
interested in building state capacity--will all learn from this
timely volume."--Andrew C. Gould, University of Notre Dame, author
of "The Origins of Liberal Dominance: State, Church, and Party in
Nineteenth-Century Europe"
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