"The state is a powerful tool for social control because it has the power to help leaders put down popular threats to their rule. But a state does not act; bureaucrats work through the state to carry out a leader's demands. In turn, leaders attempt to use their authority over the state to manage bureaucrats in a way that induces the type of bureaucratic behavior that furthers their policy and political goals. Focusing on Kenya since independence, Hassan weaves together micro-level personnel data, rich archival records, and interview evidence to show how the country's different leaders have strategically managed, and in effect weaponized, the public sector. The analysis shows how even states categorized as weak have proven very capable of helping their leader stay in power"--