Hierarchy and the State

'In 2001's 'The Mystery of Capital', economist Hernando de Soto brought property rights to the foreground as a prescription for poverty alleviation. Twenty-three years later, Patrick Shea takes the concept further by weaving an elegant theoretical connection between US foreign influence, codified property rights, and successful state-building through increased state capacity. A must-read for both practitioners and foreign policy scholars.' Carla Martinez Machain, University at Buffalo, SUNY

'In 2001's 'The Mystery of Capital', economist Hernando de Soto brought property rights to the foreground as a prescription for poverty alleviation. Twenty-three years later, Patrick Shea takes the concept further by weaving an elegant theoretical connection between US foreign influence, codified property rights, and successful state-building through increased state capacity. A must-read for both practitioners and foreign policy scholars.' Carla Martinez Machain, University at Buffalo, SUNY

Patrick E. Shea is Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on the political economy of conflict and international finance. He has published in leading journals, including the British Journal of Political Science, and has received funding from the National Science Foundation.