States and Power in Africa: Comparative Lessons in Authority and Control by Jeffrey I. Herbst: A Review Essay

Date Published:

Mar 6, 2000

Abstract:

The most convincing theory of comparative economic development asserts that it is institutions – the way societies are organized – that are the fundamental cause of countries? development of underdevelopment. To attain prosperity, a country needs to accumulate physical and human capital and create and adopt technology. Whether or not it does so is determined by the incentives that stem from the institutional environment.