Identity

The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment

By: Francis Fukuyama

Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan

Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of The Origins of Political Order offers a provocative examination of modern identity politics: its origins, its effects, and what it means for domestic and international affairs of state

In 2014, Francis Fukuyama wrote that American institutions were in decay, as the state was progressively captured by powerful interest groups. Two years later, his predictions were borne out by the rise to power of a series of political outsiders whose economic nationalism and authoritarian tendencies threatened to destabilize the entire international order. These populist nationalists seek direct charismatic connection to “the people”, who are usually defined in narrow identity terms that offer an irresistible call to an in-group and exclude large parts of the population as a whole.

Demand for recognition of one’s identity is a master concept that unifies much of what is going on in world politics today. The universal recognition on which liberal democracy is based has been increasingly challenged by narrower forms of recognition based on nation, religion, sect, race, ethnicity, or gender, which have resulted in anti-immigrant populism, the upsurge of politicized Islam, the fractious “identity liberalism” of college campuses, and the emergence of white nationalism. Populist nationalism, said to be rooted in economic motivation, actually springs from the demand for recognition and therefore cannot simply be satisfied by economic means. The demand for identity cannot be transcended; we must begin to shape identity in a way that supports rather than undermines democracy.

Identity is an urgent and necessary book - a sharp warning that unless we forge a universal understanding of human dignity, we will doom ourselves to continuing conflict.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Francis Fukuyama (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Masterfully written

Dr. Fukuyama presents an insightful analysis of today’s identity politics. His historical references to the seeds of western democracies to the buildup of the stalemate and stag-mire of modern day politics is on point. After reading this book it is hard to watch the news the same way again as your worldview is sure to be enlightened.

Great book destroyed by horrible reading

Is it possible to make fascinating ideas sound boring?

Yes it is! Have P. J .Ochlan speak them out loud!

I like this book. Fukuyama is great on this topic. Listen to the interviews with him whenever you can, or buy the printed book. But I couldn't even finish this book. This narration style is probably the worst I've heard in an audiobook.

Great way to put current events in perspective

As usual, Francis Fukuyama lays out the historical, sociological and political background of humans in a clear, understandable account that allows us to make sense of where we are now. I found his introductory remark comforting, that he was moved to write this book by the election of Trump. We need to see how this happened and be prepared to work for change, if we want to change the course we’re on.

Very informative, surprisingly practical

This book was more informative than I had expected, and not just a snarky criticism of politicians on the left or the right. An excellent resource in our times, but looks at broader history and philosophy to bring an excellent context to our current times.

Listen to understand our political environment now

This amazing book written by one of my favorite commentators on humanity back in 2018 provides a very comprehensive way to understand what's going on in our political divide at this current time.

Most of us recognize democracy is at a crisis point. Some of us know that we've been at this kind of point previously.

Many of us are wondering what the blazes is going on.

This book made the situation quite clear to me, I highly recommend it.

2020 necessary read

Fukuyama delivers a great analysis of current political issues oscillating around diversity and inclusion. Immaculate walk through European and US examples of economic and social struggles. Informative, easy read, substantial, and innovative approach.

Helpful understanding current political climate

Despite the dreadfully boring, nasal delivery by P.J. Ochlan (some words even mispronounced), the ideas Fukuyama expresses are thought provoking. The first part is somewhat like a philosophy summary class, which Ochlan's delivery makes sound more like a lecture than when I read it. But from Chapter 10 forward, the ideas are presented in ways which make them so applicable to the current world in which we live, something for which I am very grateful. I have been having a difficult time appreciating how people can vote the way they do, and understood it far better after reading this. It helps me appreciate how even poor character, self-aggrandizement and self-focused authoritarian personalities can garner support.

Narrated by a robot?

While the book is very interesting, it was hard to follow along with such an unnatural narrator. The inflection at the end of every sentence is exactly the same as the one before. Strange.

vocal fry at the end of every sentence

I found the performance significantly detracted from the story. It took a few chapters before I was able to focus on the content

A brilliant analysis of politics in 2018

Francis Fukuyama is one of the best political thinkers we have. Identity builds on his brilliant, but misunderstood The End of History and the Last Man, and his two-volume world history of political power, and brings the argument into our current political situation, with a proto-fascist President, and a wobbly Democratic party, which has a hard time at mobilizing and unifying a broad alliance against Trump.