Success could enhance legitimacy for a state-building coalition, strengthening a coercive and/or redistributive state. Failure could weaken the state (and democracy?).

The book serves IR, state and mixed-method scholars. Read it!

Here is the review: (7/7) www.researchgate.net/publication/...

Schenoni's argument provides lens to see one of the region's most pressing challenges: security.

From left to right, voters demand more state to fight organized crime. Whether through 'mano dura' and/or redistribution (coercion and/or public goods). (6/7)

The argument and findings of the book could be better understood if read with other recent literature. #DanielBaquero and I recently wrote a review, here is a thread:

bsky.app/profile/raul...

(5/7)

First. Expands the bellicist theory and tests it in difficult cases (Latin America). The book disputes established explanations for state capacity variation.

Second. The book provides an explanation for the revearsal of economic development and state capacity (late 19th C) within the region. (4/7)

2. Empirics. The focus on outcomes and mechanisms leads to a mixed-method strategy. The book presents fresh evidence using fQCA, diff-in-diffs, synthetic controls, and within-case analysis.

I think the book makes at least two major contributions (3/7)

It is theoretically and empirically strong.

1. Theory. The argument expands and ellaborates the classical bellicist theory. It provides expectations of the war-sate link pre and post-war, and mechanisms (depdendent on victory or defeat). In short, it derives several theoretical implications. (2/7)

Also, there is avocado soup.

Thank you for taking the time to write the post! Finding a voice always seemed abstract, almost esoteric. Your thoughts help writers see voice as a more concrete element. At least that was my take.

I'll write a proper review hopefully ready in the next few weeks. I'll further ellaborate more these ideas. But I'll also try to place the book in a larger discussion as well. But don't wait for the review to read it. (4/4)

From 2) above, you'll expect a mixed-method research design. It includes cross-section strategies to explain variance across cases, and a focus on specific cases via synthetic controls, and within-case analysis. Cool! (3/4)

Theoretically, the book extends the bellicist theory in two ways.

1) Going back to key insights from Weber and Hintz. 2) Developing these insights into empirical implications pre and post-war. The implications cover both outcomes and mechanisms. (2/4)