The authors discuss state size from the perspective of political theory. Is there an optimum size for the democratic state? Their answer is negative. The main theoretical questions are participation and effectiveness: the former is easier in small states, but small units cannot effectively deal with bigger problems. The authors also discuss the question of independence and autonomy, which falls closer to international relations theory. I thought the best part of the book was the beginning where they outline the history of size-related assumptions and arguments in political theory. The rest of the book builds on fragmentary empirical evidence which is probably outdated. The authors urge further studies on the subject, but state size has unfortunately not been discussed much in more recent political theorizing.