Although new and strengthened regional institutions have emerged in most regions of the global economy, institutional variation has persisted. The key dimensions of institutional variation considered here are decision rules; commitment devices, such as legalization and enfranchisement; and...

"China's rise as an economic power has posed some challenging questions: how did China achieve GDP growth that was even faster than the Asian Tigers? Is the "Chinese model" superior? Why hasn't the rapid economic growth lead to democracy in the country as many observers expected? And can China...

Intro -- Contents -- List of Illustrations -- List of Abbreviations -- Note on Terms and Spelling -- Note on Currencies and Measurements -- Acknowledgments -- Maps -- I: Introduction and Theory -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Institutions and Social Reform -- II: The Politics of Equitable Development...