In 'The Origins of Political Order', Francis Fukuyama takes readers on a riveting journey through the evolution of political systems from prehuman times to the French Revolution. He explores the intricate interplay of institutions, rule of law, and state-building, revealing how different cultures shaped their governance. What are the underlying forces that lead to the emergence of effective political order? Fukuyama argues that a balance between strong states and accountable governance is crucial for stability. This thought-provoking analysis challenges our understanding of contemporary political challenges and raises questions about the future of democracy itself.
By Francis Fukuyama
Published: 2012
"Political order is not given to us by nature; it is a human achievement that must be constantly renewed and defended."
A landmark history of the origins of modern democratic societies by one of our most important political thinkers. A New York Times Notable Book for 2011 A Globe and Mail Best Books of the Year 2011 Title A Kirkus Reviews Best Nonfiction of 2011 title Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or are unable to perform in many of today's developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world. Francis Fukuyama, author of the bestselling The End of History and the Last Man and one of our most important political thinkers, provides a sweeping account of how today's basic political institutions developed. The first of a major two-volume work, The Origins of Political Order begins with politics among our primate ancestors and follows the story through the emergence of tribal societies, the growth of the first modern state in China, the beginning of the rule of law in India and the Middle East, and the development of political accountability in Europe up until the eve of the French Revolution. Drawing on a vast body of knowledge—history, evolutionary biology, archaeology, and economics—Fukuyama has produced a brilliant, provocative work that offers fresh insights on the origins of democratic societies and raises essential questions about the nature of politics and its discontents.
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“Political order is not given to us by nature; it is a human achievement that must be constantly renewed and defended.”
The Origins of Political Order
By Francis Fukuyama
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Francis Fukuyama is a prominent American political scientist, economist, and author, best known for his influential work, "The End of History and the Last Man" (1992), in which he argues that the spread of liberal democracy may signify the endpoint of humanity's sociocultural evolution. His other notable works include "Political Order and Political Decay" (2014) and "Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment" (2018), exploring themes of political development, social identity, and governance. Fukuyama's writing style combines rigorous academic research with accessible prose, making complex ideas understandable to a broader audience.
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