First published 2018
Francis Fukuyama explores the crisis facing modern democratic institutions as narrow identity claims fracture political consensus. The New York Times bestselling author argues that populist movements worldwide draw power not from economic grievances but from deeper demands for recognition. Fukuyama traces how universal liberal principles have given way to tribal loyalties based on nation, race, religion, and gender. He examines the rise of political outsiders who exploit these divisions, from anti-immigrant populists to authoritarian nationalists who claim direct connection to "the people." The book reveals how identity politics manifests across the spectrum, from college campus movements to white nationalism to politicized Islam. Fukuyama contends that economic solutions cannot address fundamentally psychological needs for dignity and belonging. He warns that without forging shared understanding of human worth, democratic societies will remain trapped in destructive conflict between competing identity groups.
Genres: political-science, sociology, non-fiction, 21st-century, current-affairs, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: political-analysis, social-commentary
Period: 21st-Century
MP3 CD · Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio