The Origins of Political Order
From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
by Francis Fukuyama
4/5
Farrar, Straus and Giroux 608 pages April 17, 2012
Fukuyama traces the development of political institutions — the state, rule of law, and accountable government — from prehuman times through the French Revolution. Drawing on examples from China, India, the Ottoman Empire, and Europe, he asks how societies evolve from bands of kinship to modern states.
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Jim's Review
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Fukuyama asks the biggest question in political science — where does political order come from? — and then actually answers it with a sweeping tour from prehistoric tribes to the French Revolution. The comparison of China (strong state, no rule of law) with England (both) is riveting. It's dense but incredibly rewarding. If you want to understand WHY governments work the way they do, this is your book. Four worms — ambitious and brilliant.
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