Why States Matter in Economic Development

The building of an effective state is critical to the processes underpinning economic development. In this important new book, Jawied Nawabi identifies a rigorous relationship between effective states and wealth equality, particularly with regard to land. The implications are stark: the transformation of land-based agrarian relations remains fundamental to the formation of state capacity. The many insights of this book make it essential for all students, scholars and practitioners of economic development. Haroon Akram-Lodhi, Professor of Economics and International Development Studies, Trent University, Peterborough, Canada In this excellent and historically grounded book, Jawied Nawabi reveals the truth of the following maxim: “strong landed elites, no socioeconomic development.” Nawabi shows how states across diverse contexts have used agrarian reform to weaken powerful agrarian actors, and how this weakening in turn has fostered successful development projects. Highly recommended. James Mahoney, Northwestern University, USA Nawabi focuses on the key factors for achieving development through an insightful historical comparative analysis of the process of economic development of three well-chosen countries in both the global north and south. The reader gains insights into the requirements for an effective developmental state which is able to design and implement a sustainable development process. I particularly commend Nawabi for stressing not only that states matter but also that radical land reforms matter in countries dominated by rent-seeking landlords. Cristóbal Kay, Emeritus Professor Erasmus, University Rotterdam