If Books Could Kill The End of History
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Feb 9, 2023 Delve into the legacy of Francis Fukuyama's controversial ideas on the 'end of history' and their lasting impact on political thought. The hosts critique the notion of liberal democracy as the pinnacle of governance, uncovering the chasm between ideals and reality. They explore the complexities of political ideologies and the dangers of oversimplifying societal issues. With a critical eye on current geopolitical events, they question Fukuyama's conclusions, shedding light on the ongoing struggles for rights and the intricate dynamics of modern governance.
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Early US Democracy
- Fukuyama claims the US was a liberal democracy in 1790, but only white male landowners could vote.
- One in seven or eight people were enslaved at the time.
Spread of Democratic Values
- Democratic values originated and spread, but Fukuyama doesn't assess if later democracies uphold them.
- He highlights the rise of democracies in the 1980s but ignores prior US interference.
Latin American Coups
- Fukuyama cites Latin America's democratic surge in the 1980s, ignoring US-backed coups.
- He hails Pinochet's fall as a democratic win but ignores US interruption of Chile's democratic tradition.
