'The book … reveals a very extensive reading of the literature … and therefore contains a very useful list of references for scholars interested in any of these topics. This deep dive into the relevant literatures allows the author to aptly frame and clearly explain how her argument builds on but also departs from existing work. … it is hard to understand the differences within rural West Africa without reference to Wilfahrt's book.' Joan Ricart-Huguet, The Journal of Development Studies
Introduction; 1. A Theory of Institutional Congruence; 2. Bringing Old States Back In: Senegal's Precolonial Polities; 3. The Politics of Decentralization in Senegal; 4. Political Narratives Across Rural Senegal; 5. Delivering Schools and Clinics in Rural Senegal; 6. Congruence and Incongruence in Action; 7. Decompressing Legacies of Public Goods Delivery; 8. Institutional Congruence Beyond Senegal; Conclusion.