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

By: Francis Fukuyama

Narrated by: Jonathan Davis

Length: 22 hrs and 34 mins

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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

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

Critic reviews

"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)

Worth the effort to understand politics/societies

This is not an easy listen, but it is well worth the effort to understand the evolution of many of the world's societies and political systems. Mr. Fukuyama presents us with some many analyses and historical accounts that it makes it easier for us to understand what actually is going on and how did we get to where we are and what are the implications to the common citizen. Even though this volume goes up until only the French Revolution, you will better able to understand the true motivations of the past and current world leaders (be them democrats or autocratic rulers), how your daily life is influenced the the existing institutions, the rule of law and the presence or absence of democracy. I highly recommend this audiobook and the printed version to highly motivated individuals who are willing to learn beyond the average textbook.

An Explanation of Society

What did you love best about The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution?

The scope. This book is able to spend time in Europe, China, India and the Middle East and combine them successfully.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Again the scope. This book really tries to explain how societies organize themselves in the most general sense. I agree with most of the points made here and I think it is a valuable primer for understanding modern politics

Broad overview with interesting cameos of society

What did you love best about The Origins of Political Order from Pre-human Times to the French Revolution?

I enjoyed the breadth of countries that are covered in this work, which gave the theories a feeling of solidity.

Which character – as performed by Jonathan Davis – was your favorite?

There is only one.

Any additional comments?

I found the attempt to base the theory on evolutionary theory unnecassary and a step too far. He criticises people who do this as resorting to "just so" theories, then does it himself. Given the length of the book, it is easy to forget that section and let the rest stand alone.

If you love Jared Diamond ...

I've never been interested in history or politics. Fukuyama does a tremendous job of not just "reporting the facts" but finding validated theories that help to form connections between types of state formation in different countries around the world. I am impressed by his deliberate attempt to avoid being biased towards Western ideology (this is the way it happened in the US/Europe so this is the way it has to be) but rather considers each country as objectively as possible.

A good listen for those early morning walks.

I ended up buying the book do I could see the spelling of Indian, Chinese and Arabic dynasties for retention.

Fantastic Comparative Analysis

As a student of history and one who love broad coverage, this was a great read. Detailed study of people and cultures dispels the simple notions about our current events. We need to dig deeper to understand the present and the past without our preconceived notions of truth.

Excellent.

Well explained, and well suppported by careful and unbiased research. I am looking forward to listen to the vol. 2 of this importat political work.

Informative, Interesting, if not a bit dry.

Very much so enjoyed this book. Hearing about the origins of global political systems was very engaging and informative. My only complaint is the performance can be dry after lengthy listens, I had to take breaks when listening for extended periods because the delivery can be pretty one note. But even so, I was able to listen up to 8hrs at a time sometimes because the content of the book is interesting enough to carry it.

Great book full of interesting facts and correlations, accompanied by a well enough performance made this a really fun listen.

My rating is not meant to be a poor reflection

I gave this book lower marks because it is not comprehensible to its fullest potential in a single read/listen. The book is more of a graduate school text meant to be studied than a passive read. I would have appreciated more help from the author. That is, I would have appreciated the author condensing his points as he progressed through the ages and civilizations. I realize my lack of comprehension is on me; however, I would have gained more out of reading this book had the author stated what he intended to prove, then gave his arguments, then revisited his conclusions.

Essential reading

An astonishingly insightful book that should be required reading for any student of power, political science, and history.