The End of History and the Last Man

1. The End of History and the Last Man Francis Fukuyama (1992)

2. Key concerns • Legitimacy of liberal democracy as a system of Government • It may constitute the end point of mankind’s ideological evolution • Defects and irrationalities of other forms of Government • The twin principle of liberty and equality on which the modern democracy is founded

3. Understanding of history • History is not the end of occurrence of events • But history understood as a single, coherent, evolutionary process, while taking into account the experience of all people in all times

4. G W F Hegel’s proposing of evolution of history • Tribal • Slavery • Subsistence agriculture • Theocracies • Monarchies • Feudal aristocracies • Up to modern liberal democracies driven by technologically augmented capitalism

5. Marx and Hegel believed that • History of man is not open-ended but would end when mankind would achieve a form of society that satisfies its deepest and most fundamental longings. • Hegel ---- liberal State • Marx ----- communist society • Natural cycle of life will continue.

6. Main question of Fukuyama • Whether at the end of 20th century, it makes sense for us to speak of a coherent and directional history of mankind that will eventually lead the greater part of humanity to liberal democracy? • Yes • Reason --- economics • ---- struggle for recognition

7. Our own experiences negative Good news Weaknesses in Other form of government has become very clear Totalitarian Middle East Dictatorship Para military authoritarian • Two world wars • Totalistic ideologies • Hitlerism, Stalinism PolPol

8. Liberal democracies remain only coherent political aspiration around the globe • Spread of free market and material prosperity • Therefore find out whether there is a deeper thread to what is happening here

9. Is there a possibility of universal history • Use of modern natural science both cumulative and directional • Modern Science giving military advantage • Modern science giving economic production possibilities • Technology makes possible the limitless accumulation of wealth, and satisfaction of ever expanding human desire

10. Cont. • Increasing homonization of all human societies regardless of their historical origins and cultural inheritance • Unify people nationally on the basis of centralized state, urbanization, replacing traditional forms of social organization of tribe, sects, families • Rational efficiencies • Universal education

11. Cont. • Global market links • spread of universal consumer culture • Science would also dictate a universal evolution of direction of capitalism • Innovation brought about by information technology

12. But the science cannot • Explain the phenomenon of democracy as most developed countries are also most developed democracies • Why we obey bureaucratic superior than say a religious leader • Why we are literate and speak a common national language • Why economic answers are incomplete as we are not simply economic animals

13. Cont. • Why we are democrats • Why we follow a sovereignty • Why we guarantee the basic rights under a rule of law

14. Hegel’s non materialist account of history • Struggle of recognition • Human • Natural needs • Recognition needs • Man desires the desire of others • Worth • Dignity • prestige

15. Human nature • Humans have instinct for self preservation • Humans have the ability to overcome the basic animal instinct for the sake of higher abstract principles and goals

16. Desire of recognition • Staking their lives for mortal battle • War • Lord over - Master • Submit - slave • War was not for food, shelter or security but pure recognition or prestige • War leading to human freedom

17. Plato in Republic • Soul • Desiring • Reasoning • Thymos – spiritedness First two initiate and control human activities but the third looks for - worth - value in people, things, principles Self esteem and justice

18. Innate sense of justice • I am worth – if not considered – anger • When not up to – shame • When achieved – pride and accomplishment • Human personality is critical for political history • Masters willing to risk their lives slaves succumbing to fear = lordship and bondage resulting in types of societies

19. Failure of societies • To recognize the desire for recognition either for masters or slaves • Contradiction that engendered further stages of societies in history. • Hegel believed that contradiction inherent in the relationship of Lordship and bondage was overcome as a result of the French and American revolution

20. Distinction between master and slave was abolished by making slaves their own masters • Establishing principle of sovereignty • Rule of law • Universal and reciprocal recognition of Rights • Right is end in itself because it gives the ultimate satisfaction • Desire for recognition provides the missing link from economic account of History • Desire + reason = industrialization, but cannot explain liberal democracy. Recognition can.

21. In desire for recognition we find • Social changes that accompany industrialization • Universal education • Standard of living • Equality condition • People don’t demand more wealth but recognition of their status • This leads to democratic government

22. Your can reinterpret • Culture • Religion • Work • Nationalism • War • As desire for recognition at the same time might be obstacles to democratic political institutions, free market economies

23. Liberal democracies • Replaces the irrational desire to be recognized on greater than other with a rational desire