Indirect Rule Audiobook By David A. Lake cover art

Indirect Rule

The Making of US International Hierarchy

Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free

$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Get this deal
Offer ends on July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PT.
More purchase options

Indirect Rule

By: David A. Lake
Narrated by: Kevin Moriarty
Get this deal

$8.99/mo. after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offer ends July 15, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.

Buy for $20.45

Buy for $20.45

Indirect Rule examines how states indirectly exercise authority over others and how this mode of rule affects domestic and international politics.

Indirect rule has long characterized interstate relationships and US foreign relations. A key mechanism of international hierarchy, indirect rule involves an allied group within a client state adopting policies preferred by a dominant state in exchange for the dominant state's support. Drawing on the history of US involvement in the Caribbean and Central America, Western Europe, and the Arab Middle East, David A. Lake shows that indirect rule is more likely to occur when the specific assets at risk are large and governance costs are low.

Lake's conceptualization of indirect rule sharpens our understanding of how the United States came to occupy the pinnacle of world power. Yet the consequences of indirect rule he documents—including anti-Americanism—reveal its shortcomings. As US efforts at democracy promotion and other forms of intervention abroad face declining support at home, Indirect Rule compels us to consider whether this method of rule ultimately advances US interests.

The book is published by Cornell University Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

©2024 Cornell University (P)2024 Redwood Audiobooks
Americas Diplomacy Ideologies & Doctrines International Relations Politics & Government United States Western Europe Middle East Thought-Provoking Iran Imperialism Soviet Union War Military Socialism Africa Latin America American Foreign Policy Capitalism Caribbean Interwar Period
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

Critic reviews

"With a potent and insightful theoretical framework, this excellent book enhances our understanding of international hierarchy..." (Amaney A. Jamal, author of Of Empires and Citizens)

"A valuable theoretical contribution to the literature on international hierarchy. This book will be widely read and cited." (Randall Stone, author of Controlling Institutions)

No reviews yet