Daniel Ziblatt is associate professor of government and social studies at Harvard University, where he is also faculty associate at the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies.

"There are several reasons to read this book. The first one is the originality of the subject. . . . The second reason to read this book is the theoretical implications of the cases under analysis. . . . The third reason is the fact that this research can be fruitfully replicated. . . . In any case, this book and the methodology used by the author will certainly constitute an extremely useful contribution."---Marco Brunazzo, Congrips Newsletter --- "Ziblatt has put the question of the origins of federalism on the table, suggested a provocative answer to it, creatively applied the theory of infrastructural power, and pointed the way toward many new issues to explore. This is a piece of scholarship that is sure to become the touchstone for future research on the origins of federalism, and, if we are lucky, many other scholars will follow Ziblatt's lead in investigating the relationship between infrastructural and despotic power."---Monica Prasad, American Journal of Sociology --- "Well-researched and written, [Structuring the State] provides a highly compelling alternative to the conventional wisdom on federalism."---Louise K. Davidson-Schmich, German Studies Review --- "A well-researched study of comparative political development from an institutional perspective. . . . The book contains useful notes and appendixes, and could be useful in history or political science courses." --- "Ziblatt brilliantly addresses . . . [an] institutional puzzle: Why, when Italy and Germany became nation-states, did Italy become a unitary state and Germany a federal one? Ziblatt is a careful and methodical researcher who applies to the study of historical processes a vast array of qualitative and sensible quantitative methods. . . . [A] bold and original analysis."---Stanley Hoffmann, Foreign Affairs --- "Winner of the 2003 Ernst B. Haas Prize for Best Dissertation in European Politics, American Political Science Association" --- "Winner of the 2004 Gabriel Almond Award for Best Dissertation in Comparative Politics, American Political Science Association" --- "Co-Winner of the 2007 Best Book Award, European Politics and Society Section of the American Political Science Association"