Tim Kelsall has written a seminal book that identifies the management of rents as the central factor determining the economic performance of African countries. Business, Politics and the State in Africa advances the debate on governance and development into a new and more productive field, and is sure to stand as a key text for the next decade.

Alex de Waal, Executive Director, World Peace Foundation

Revealing the evolution of Ghana's, Tanzania's, Ethiopia's and Rwanda's development policy and performance, the empirically-grounded narratives laid out in this book constitute a bracing antidote to the intellectual and ethical complacence behind the mainstream championing of "good governance" and a "level-playing-field" business environment as ways forward for development. The authors' findings and conclusions are sure to be profoundly discomfiting for practitioners - in ways which contribute to, and hopefully will help, spur the new thinking which is urgently needed.

Brian Levy, School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University and University of Cape Town, and formerly a World Bank governance adviser

Tim Kelsall provides fresh perspectives on an old post-colonial African conundrum. He presents highly nuanced arguments grounded in empirical detail to hint at the possibility that some forms of "clientelistic politics" might actually conduce to development in African states.

E. Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development/Afrobarometer and Professor in Political Science, University of Ghana

Recent growth trends in sub-Saharan Africa have been hailed by the proponents of neoliberalism as a strong affirmation of their policy doctrine. Tim Kelsall's volume not only challenges the triumphalism of neoliberals but points to the kinds of state and business coalitions that can generate policies towards structurally transforming African economies. The book combines solid theoretical reasoning with detailed case studies from Asia and Africa. A welcome and timely addition to the literature.

Howard Stein, Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

It is delightful to be puzzling more over Africa's successes than its failures. It is great to read a book that both helps us to puzzle and points to the likely answers. When all that is done in clear prose, we have something well worth reading.

Mick Moore, Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies

A stimulating book, well worth reading for those also grappling with the policy dilemmas involved

Nicholas Westcott in International Affairs