
The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
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Narrated by:
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Jonathan Davis
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Written by:
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Francis Fukuyama
About this listen
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.You may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
What listeners say about The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2021-10-05
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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- Anonymous User
- 2019-03-21
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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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 2022-01-18
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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- Inbae Ahn
- 2025-01-21
Valuable historic synthesis
The book is well written and the Audible version well narrated. It’s an insightful synthesis of the social, political and economic events that shaped the various flavours of politics we see in the world today. And although I don’t agree with all of his opinions I admire his thoughtful and well researched analysis.
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- Nick
- 2019-05-02
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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2 people found this helpful
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- A
- 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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1 person found this helpful