The Origins of Political Order is a 2011 book by political economist Francis Fukuyama about what makes a state stable. It uses a comparative political history to develop a theory of the stability of a political system. According to Fukuyama, a stable state needs to be modern and strong, to obey the rule of law governing the state and be accountable. Fukuyama's book was listed in "New York Times Notable Book for 2011",[44] the Globe and Mail "Best Books of the Year 2011 Title",[45] Kirkus Reviews "Best Nonfiction of 2011 title".[46] and on the short list for The Lionel Gelber Prize.[47] Each reviewer listed here, many of who are notable academics in the field of political economy, discovers a different lesson from the book. The book received positive reviews, a tour de force as a new description of political history. Many of the following reviewers start out by summing up his most well known book, The End of History and sometimes they connect it to the book being reviewed. Reviewer Jon Sallet writes that Francis Fukuyama is out to challenge the Anglo-centric perspective of the rise of democracy running from Athens directly to John Locke. "He asks, simply: What happened, why did it happen, and what does it teach us about the future?"[48] Robert Blackburn thinks that it should be required reading for the education minister and his advisers: "A tour de force, readable, well-informed and provocative. It supplies a coherent, sustained and challenging narrative of the whole of human history."[9] Michael Lind claims that Fukuyama, in discussing the origins of The Origins, is being modest, follows Weber, Durkheim, Marx, and Hegel and looks forward to the next book in the series. The Origins of Political Order is a rigorous attempt to create a synoptic view of human history by means of a synthesis of research in many disciplines.[14] David Runciman explains that the phrase "to get to Denmark" means to get to a stable, prosperous, dynamic society, but complains that he does not provide the answer.[49] The Economist sees insights into China, India and the Arab world today: "its insights are relevant to our understanding of modern states and how they became what they are."[28] Hewson considers the book a major achievement as an overview of political evolution from prehistory and onwards.[10] Ian Morris writes. "It is an intellectual triumph—bold in scope, sound in judgment, and rich in provocations; in short, a classic."[5] Will Hutton uses the book in his review to show why the anti-state instincts of the Tea Party movement are wrong.[50] Nicholas Wade's review compares the work to classics in the field, like Guns, Germs and Steel and quotes other positive comments, among them Goerg Sorensen, who proclaims "this will be a new classic", Arthur Melzer saying that it is "definitely a magnum opus." and that it is unusual because it addresses many factors like warfare, religion, and human social behaviors.[51] At a discussion with Fukuyama at Trinity College, he explain the relevance of his ideas to the country's battle over the budget, the debt ceiling and Obamacare.[52] Frank Furedi comments that Fukuyama is concerned about political stasis in many liberal democracies, and warns about political decay.[53] Gerard DeGroot congratulates Fukuyama for thinking big."This is a book that will be remembered, like those of Ranke, Trevelyan and Turner. Bring on volume II."[11] Christopher Caldwell calls Fukuyama's latest book sober but scintillating. Fukuyama’s grimmest message, he feels, is that progress in moral and culture may signal decay in politics and civilisation.[54] Tim Soutphommasane writes that while philosophers like Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau consider humans to be individualistic, Fukuyama cites modern biology research as arguments for humans being programmed for social co-operation.[55] David Marquand writes that "It is an astonishing achievement."[12] David Gress advises future leaders to take note, since future legitimacy depends upon a balance between strong state action and individual freedoms.[56] Michael Burleigh is impressed by the Fukuyama combines anthropology, social biology, history and political science.[13] Steve Sailer concludes that The Origins of Political Order offers a respectable starting point for those who want to understand how states and nations evolved.[8] Jasper Trautsch interprets the book as an attack on the tea party movement, which seeks to reduce federal spending to a minimum, and on neo-conservatives, who believe America can turn authoritarian states into functioning democracies by force. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Origins_of_Political_Order

• published: 17 Sep 2015
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