Žižek's Squashed Birds

Slavoj Žižek's "Less Than Nothing" is a comprehensive and challenging work of Hegelian philosophy. It delves into the complexities of Hegelian dialectics, exploring themes of ideology, subjectivity, and the nature of reality. Žižek's writing style is known for its dense prose and provocative arguments, making the book a demanding but rewarding read for those interested in advanced philosophical concepts. The book engages with a wide range of thinkers, from Hegel and Lacan to contemporary political theorists, offering a unique and insightful perspective on the human condition. Žižek's work is often characterized by its interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon psychoanalysis, Marxism, and other fields to develop his arguments.

In 'The End of History and the Last Man', Francis Fukuyama posits that with the ascendancy of Western liberal democracy following the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, humanity has reached the end point of its ideological evolution. Fukuyama draws on the philosophies of Hegel and Marx, arguing that history is a linear progression towards liberal democracy, driven by the mechanisms of natural science and the human desire for recognition (thymos). He contends that liberal democracy satisfies every man’s thymotic longing for dignity and recognition, making it the final form of human government. However, Fukuyama clarifies that this does not mean the end of historical events or conflicts, but rather that all future developments will be within the framework of liberal democracy.