Fourteen papers consider the means to compare the performance of nations at the global, subnational, and local levels by way of a political indicator similar to gross domestic product and gross domestic product per capita.

Journal of Economic Literature

The Performance of Nations is a superb team effort, led by editors Kugler and Tammen, to answer an important but somewhat neglected question at the intersection of comparative and international politics: How do we assess the political performance of a state? This book introduces a standard measure that possesses cross-national relevance. Authored by established and rising stars, the chapters cover thoroughly the theoretical and policy-related aspects of how political performance is to be evaluated. Concepts such as extraction, reach, and allocation are applied effectively at national, subnational, and local levels to produce insights about how governments perform in diverse areas of policy. This book will be essential reading for political economists from all disciplinary backgrounds—scholars and students alike.

Patrick James, University of Southern California

Political scientists and economists have devoted substantial efforts to measuring the military-industrial capabilities of states and the efficiency and productivity of national economies. Much less attention has been paid to the conceptualization and measurement of the effectiveness of political systems. In The Performance of Nations,Jacek Kugler, Ronald L. Tammen, and their colleagues provide a groundbreaking and illuminating analysis of political performance at the national, subnational, and even local levels, as well as of the impacts different levels of political performance have on such phenomena as economic growth, integration, attracting foreign investment, and immigration. Their book is destined to be recognized as an intellectual landmark in the academic as well the policy-making communities.

James Lee Ray, Vanderbilt University

Capturing empirically and with some precision what governments actually do is a woefully underdeveloped art. In this volume, the authors apply standardized measures of extraction, reach, and allocation to a variety of processes ranging from economic growth through conflict to specific types of policy. The volume represents a highly novel and worthwhile read.

William R. Thompson, emeritus, Indiana University