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.
David A. Lake is Jerri-Ann and Gary E. Jacobs Endowed Chair in Social Sciences and Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of California, San Diego. He is the author, coauthor, or coeditor of more than fifteen books.