Benjamin L. Read is Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. With Robert Pekkanen, he is co-editor of Local Organizations and Urban Governance in East and Southeast Asia: Straddling State and Society (2009).

"Benjamin Read's Roots of the State is a fascinating account of grassroots administrative organization in East Asia and Southeast Asia, with a focus on the capital cities of Beijing and Taipei."—Jerry McBeath, Journal of Chinese Political Science (JCPS) "I find this a well-researched and conscientious piece of research. It is rich in its theoretical contributions, marshaling of evidence and its analysis is first-rate. I gladly recommend this book to social scientists interested in how we may meaningfully shift our attention from a conventional theorizing of paternalistic state-society relations (that is, of the 'autonomous' development state) to one focused on a more complex and nuanced analysis of society-state relations (that is, restoring a routine power to the ruled while still acknowledging the power of the state)."—Vincent Chua, Asian Journal of Social Science "This impressive new study sheds light on an overlooked trend: the emergence of local neighborhood associations as political actors. Not fully extensions of the state, not fully creations of society, these associations highlight the complexity of local politics, as well as their promise."—Bruce Dickson, George Washington University "Roots of the State offers an intimate glimpse into the life and work of the neighborhood organizations that are the state's first thread of connection to its citizens. The themes and arguments raised here broaden our understanding of authoritarian regimes and reveal how alternative models of governance operate."—Mary Gallagher, University of Michigan

Benjamin L. Read is Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. With Robert Pekkanen, he is co-editor of Local Organizations and Urban Governance in East and Southeast Asia: Straddling State and Society (2009).

"Benjamin Read's Roots of the State is a fascinating account of grassroots administrative organization in East Asia and Southeast Asia, with a focus on the capital cities of Beijing and Taipei."—Jerry McBeath, Journal of Chinese Political Science (JCPS) "I find this a well-researched and conscientious piece of research. It is rich in its theoretical contributions, marshaling of evidence and its analysis is first-rate. I gladly recommend this book to social scientists interested in how we may meaningfully shift our attention from a conventional theorizing of paternalistic state-society relations (that is, of the 'autonomous' development state) to one focused on a more complex and nuanced analysis of society-state relations (that is, restoring a routine power to the ruled while still acknowledging the power of the state)."—Vincent Chua, Asian Journal of Social Science "This impressive new study sheds light on an overlooked trend: the emergence of local neighborhood associations as political actors. Not fully extensions of the state, not fully creations of society, these associations highlight the complexity of local politics, as well as their promise."—Bruce Dickson, George Washington University "Roots of the State offers an intimate glimpse into the life and work of the neighborhood organizations that are the state's first thread of connection to its citizens. The themes and arguments raised here broaden our understanding of authoritarian regimes and reveal how alternative models of governance operate."—Mary Gallagher, University of Michigan

Benjamin L. Read is Assistant Professor of Politics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. With Robert Pekkanen, he is co-editor of Local Organizations and Urban Governance in East and Southeast Asia: Straddling State and Society (2009).

"Benjamin Read's Roots of the State is a fascinating account of grassroots administrative organization in East Asia and Southeast Asia, with a focus on the capital cities of Beijing and Taipei."—Jerry McBeath, Journal of Chinese Political Science (JCPS) "I find this a well-researched and conscientious piece of research. It is rich in its theoretical contributions, marshaling of evidence and its analysis is first-rate. I gladly recommend this book to social scientists interested in how we may meaningfully shift our attention from a conventional theorizing of paternalistic state-society relations (that is, of the 'autonomous' development state) to one focused on a more complex and nuanced analysis of society-state relations (that is, restoring a routine power to the ruled while still acknowledging the power of the state)."—Vincent Chua, Asian Journal of Social Science "This impressive new study sheds light on an overlooked trend: the emergence of local neighborhood associations as political actors. Not fully extensions of the state, not fully creations of society, these associations highlight the complexity of local politics, as well as their promise."—Bruce Dickson, George Washington University "Roots of the State offers an intimate glimpse into the life and work of the neighborhood organizations that are the state's first thread of connection to its citizens. The themes and arguments raised here broaden our understanding of authoritarian regimes and reveal how alternative models of governance operate."—Mary Gallagher, University of Michigan