Political and Legal.

This article provides summaries of four recent books on political and legal topics. The first book, "A Life in the American Century" by Joseph S. Nye Jr., is a memoir that explores the author's experiences in academia and policymaking, highlighting the importance of both hard and soft power in shaping American influence. The second book, "Indirect Rule: The Making of U.S. International Hierarchy" by David A. Lake, examines the historical foundations of the U.S.-led world order, focusing on the alliances formed between the United States and local elites in subordinate countries. The third book, "The Ecology of Nations: American Democracy in a Fragile World Order" by John M. Owen IV, argues that the fate of American democracy is interconnected with the health and welfare of other democracies. The fourth book, "The End of Empires and a World Remade: A Global History of Decolonization" by Martin Thomas, explores the end of European empires and the struggle for decolonization, emphasizing the role of globalization in shaping these processes. [Extracted from the article]