Political Order and Political Decay

Francis Fukuyama's "Political Order and Political Decay" serves as the monumental second volume to his landmark work on the modern state, extending his analysis from the French Revolution through to contemporary global challenges like the Arab Spring and the deep dysfunctions of American politics. Building on the foundation of how political institutions emerge, Fukuyama delves into the intricacies of their maintenance and decay. He scrutinizes the pervasive effects of corruption on governance and examines why certain societies succeed in combating it, while others falter. The book offers a comparative study of colonial legacies across Latin America, Africa, and Asia, elucidating the varied paths to development and prosperity. Ultimately, Fukuyama confronts the pressing question of democracy's resilience and future amidst a rising global middle class and entrenched political gridlock in Western nations, delivering a sweeping and masterful account of humanity's enduring struggle to forge well-functioning, accountable states.