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  • The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution

  • Written by: Francis Fukuyama
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
  • Length: 22 hrs and 34 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (70 ratings)

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The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution

Written by: Francis Fukuyama
Narrated by: Jonathan Davis
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Publisher's Summary

Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions that included a central state that could keep the peace and uniform laws that applied to all citizens. Some went on to create governments that were accountable to their constituents. We take these institutions for granted, but they are absent or unable to function in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world.

Francis Fukuyama, author of the best-selling The End of History and The Last Man, and one of our most important political thinkers, provides a sweeping account of how today’s basic political institutions developed.

The first of a major two-volume work, The Origins of Political Order begins with politics among our primate ancestors and follows the story through the emergence of tribal societies, the growth of the first modern state in China, the beginning of the rule of law in India and the Middle East, and the development of political accountability in Europe up until the eve of the French Revolution.

Drawing on a vast body of knowledge—history, evolutionary biology, archaeology, and economics—Fukuyama has produced a brilliant, provocative work that offers fresh insights on the origins of democratic societies and raises essential questions about the nature of politics and its discontents.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2011 Francis Fukuyama (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

What the critics say

"Fukuyama writes a crystalline prose that balances engaging erudition with incisive analysis. As germane to the turmoil in Afghanistan as it is to today's congressional battles, this is that rare work of history with up-to-the-minute relevance." ( Publishers Weekly)
“Political theorist Francis Fukuyama’s new book is a major accomplishment, likely to find its place among the works of seminal thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke, and modern moral philosophers and economists such as John Rawls and Amartya Sen . . .It is a perspective and a voice that can supply a thinker’s tonic for our current political maladies.” (Earl Pike, The Cleveland Plain Dealer)
“Ambitious and highly readable.” ( The New Yorker)

What listeners say about The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution

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Cannot possibly retain the info... waste of $$

The quality/narration is so bad that I cannot focus for more than 30 seconds. Something about it forces your mind to wander elsewhere. I listen to audiobooks LOTS but this is the first one where I’ve had to rewind constantly to where I stopped paying attention.

Absolutely would not recommend.

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  • 2020-06-18

Great but, not great format

I love this book and Fukuyama's ideas and writing, but due to length and the material covered, I do not believe it is well served as an audio book. I recommend getting the paper version for reading.

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worth revisiting

This is the first volume in Francis Fukuyama's monumental works on the origins of political order and decay. This book raises thought-provoking questions about the nature and structure of society. The book centers around the key analytical concept of rule of law, a strong state, patrimonialism and government accountability.

This comparative history eschews narrow anthropological butterfly collecting while falling short of the historical determinism inherent in other theories of history.

I found the story and framework easy to follow, but I have undoubtedly missed a lot. The book deserves a second read to fully digest the ideas. I look forward to reading the next volume.

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THE book on comparative political development

wish I had this as an undergraduate. compelling and effective summary and contrast of the developments leading up to the modern world. a. erudite and succinct (despite its overall length) account of multiple global powers. highly recommended.

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A True Masterpiece

This book is dense and long but it is an excellent look at what politics is, how power is made and held, and how order perpetuates or changes. A book that touches on behavioral biology, comparative civilizations and socio economics.

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