Francis Fukuyama reflects on his ‘End of History’ political theory

Political theorist Francis Fukuyama is reflecting on his influential work, ‘The End of History and the Last Man’. Originally gaining fame for proposing the ultimate triumph of liberal democracy over autocracy following the Cold War, Fukuyama’s theories have faced significant scrutiny during global crises such as the September 11 attacks and the war in Ukraine.

In his recent memoirs, the 73-year-old scholar revisits the political theories that defined his career. He suggests that the perceived failure of his thesis may stem from readers overlooking the nuances and caveats presented in the final chapters of his original work, which anticipated the emergence of new political challenges.