'This manuscript is a tour de force of comparative, cross-regional, historically-based political economy analysis of one of the major issues that faced us in the last century and continues to do so now - why some states have done better than others at development. This type of work is very difficult to do, requiring broad contextual and technical knowledge, a keen sense of politics, and a deep knowledge of individual cases - all linked with excellent analytic capabilities. Professor Kohli has all of these and more.' Thomas Callaghy, University of Pennsylvania

'Atul Kohli's eagerly awaited State-Directed Development is a prime example of how comparative historical sociology can illuminate the biggest, most important issues we face in our time. We are at a moment when one of the grandest projects of the twentieth century - the rise of multiple new states in Africa and Asia on the ashes of European colonial empires - seems at risk of falling to multiple plagues, including AIDS, bloodletting civil wars, megalomaniacal tyrants, and mismanaged economies. Kohli tempers our despair by pointing to a range of variation in developing countries. From the histories of those that have succeeded and failed, as well as those in-between, he draws the recipes that have worked (and not worked) for states to give their citizens a reasonable chance to lead a decent life by inducing industrialization. This is a must-read book.' Joel S. Migdal, University of Washington, Seattle

'Kohli's provocative book rehabilitates the state in face of claims that state sovereignty has declined as a result of globalization. Reviewing the comparative capacity of four states in this admirably grounded project he demonstrates that markets, liberty and security require a strong state. Bringing history back in, he argues that the differences in state capacity of Brazil, India, Nigeria and Korea have been shaped by their distinct colonial experiences.' Susanne Hoeber Rudolph, University of Chicago