Direct colonial rule

See also: Indirect rule and Colonialism

Direct colonial rule is a form of colonialism that involves the establishment of a centralized foreign authority within a territory, which is run by colonial officials. According to Michael W. Doyle of Harvard University, in a system of direct rule, the native population is excluded from all but the lowest level of the colonial government.^[1] Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani classifies direct rule as centralized despotism: a system where natives were not considered citizens.^[2]

The opposite of direct colonial rule is indirect rule, which integrates pre-established local elites and native institutions into the government.^[1]

See also

• History portal

• President's rule
• Analysis of Western European colonialism and colonization
• Environmental determinism