The Origins Of Political Order: From Prehuman Times To The French Revolution (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Fukuyama does us all a service by reopening the conversation on the development of societies, seeking generalizable principles without giving into a simplistic deterministic view. I don't know that I buy into everything in the book, but it's a pleasant shift from the nuance-less propositions of many neoliberals, neoconservatives, neomarxists, etc. He uses a broad historical survey in an attempt to demonstrate the complex social dynamics that shape the political order in different societies, pointing to some tendencies that he believes are rooted in human nature (e.g. loyalty to family) as universally important forces, while showing that economic conditions, social groups and institutions, religions and ideologies, among other factors all interact in the shaping that order.It's a bit much to absorb in one reading, and there are parts of it that are worth questioning, but this book seems like an important step in the right direction for parts of political science, economics, and the study of international relations, and if it makes people working in international development take a broader view of developing states, that would be enough for it to make a positive difference in the world. The author does a definitive survey of political development through out the world while avoiding the ODTAA ("one dang thing after another") trap survey books of this kind can often fall into. This kind of information often pops up in many of the books I read, but is never covered as a primary topic nor as definitively as this author covers this topic. Usually, it's hard to get a good description of the political history of Islam, India and China, and most authors force the story into their comic book characterization narrative of those societies so that it will fit into their narrative so that they can show the supposed superiority of the West. This book doesn't do that whatsoever and gives each region it's full due respect. The author not only looks at each major civilization and parts thereof as an end in itself but will contrast it with the familiar when needed.Political systems need three things in order to prosper fully: accountability, transparency, and "rule of law". All three aren't necessary, but each sure do help. The earliest systems start with a "kin and friend" system and develops from there. The author steps the reader through the process and how it differs depending on the civilization. The author shows that Rousseau (man is perfect until government corrupts him) is wrong about everything, Hobbes (government is only to protect against violent acts) only gives a barely adequate government, and Locke (live, liberty and pursuit of property) gives the most responsive government, and the author shows how these stages can develop or never existed in this first place as in the worldview of Rousseau for the different societies studied in this book. The author speaks with authority on the topic and this book filled in a lot of holes on the topic that I got from reading other books which never fully developed the topic.
What do You think about The Origins Of Political Order: From Prehuman Times To The French Revolution (2011)?
Good historical review about politics, religion and the shape of the states.
—dillions_angel_09
must-read for anybody who wants to analyse the history of the mankind
—lpreid51
