The Size of Nations. By Alberto Alesina and Enrico Spolaore. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2003. 272p. $35.00.

When the Soviet Union fell, why did the region break up into smaller independent states, rather than remain one nation? In contrast, at almost the same time, what caused 15 European nations to band together to create a supranational institution with a common currency, rather than maintain their completely separate sovereignty? Are small countries more viable than large countries? Are dictatorships bigger than democracies? And within countries, why are capital cities usually centrally located?