In a riveting discussion, Francis Fukuyama, a renowned political scientist and author at Stanford, joins Yascha Mounk to dissect the early dynamics of Trump’s latest term. They explore the significance of Trump's executive orders and how they affect the civil service. Fukuyama shares insights on America's foreign policy shifts, particularly regarding China and global south countries. The conversation also addresses the complexities of U.S. bureaucracy, the call for deregulation, and the evolving nature of American populism. Expect sharp analysis and thought-provoking ideas!
01:07:40
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Bureaucratic Revenge
Trump's second term aims to control the federal bureaucracy through loyalists.
This approach prioritizes revenge and control, disregarding competence.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Retribution Against Stanford Students
The new administration revoked summer internships from Stanford Law students at the Justice Department.
This shows a focus on retribution, even impacting student opportunities.
insights INSIGHT
Importance of Impersonal Civil Service
A professional, apolitical civil service is crucial for modern government functions.
It ensures services are provided equally to all citizens, based on impersonality.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
From the Industrial Revolution to the Globalisation of Democracy
Francis Fukuyama
In this book, Francis Fukuyama continues his exploration of the formation and decay of political societies, begun in 'The Origins of Political Order'. He examines the development of modern political institutions from the French Revolution to contemporary times, including the impact of industrialization, colonialism, and the rise of global democracy. Fukuyama argues that a well-functioning modern state requires a balance between a strong, efficient state, the rule of law, and democratic accountability. He critiques the current state of American politics, highlighting issues such as 'vetocracy' and the judicialization of political processes, which he believes contribute to political decay. The book also explores case studies from various regions, including Europe, Asia, and Latin America, to illustrate different paths of political development and decay.
The origins of political order
Francis Fukuyama
In this book, Francis Fukuyama argues that a stable democratic society is built on three main components: a strong and capable state, the rule of law, and accountability mechanisms. He explores the evolution of these traits through various historical cultures, from the emergence of tribal societies to the development of modern states in China, India, and Europe. Fukuyama draws on a vast body of knowledge including history, evolutionary biology, archaeology, and economics to provide fresh insights on the origins of democratic societies and the challenges they face. The book also examines the roles of violence and religion in shaping political order and highlights the importance of balancing state power with social forces to achieve accountability and stability[2][3][5].
Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama discuss the first few days of the Trump administration–and what it means for domestic and foreign policy.
Francis Fukuyama is a political scientist, author, and the Olivier Nomellini Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. Fukuyama’s notable works include The End of History and the Last Man and The Origins of Political Order. His latest book is Liberalism and Its Discontents. You can find his blog, Frankly Fukuyama, at Persuasion.
In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama discuss what the flurry of executive orders really means; how the civil service needs to change; Trump’s plans for Greenland; and what China will do next.
The Good Fight 
