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Liberalism and Its Discontents

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Liberalism and Its Discontents

By: Francis Fukuyama
Narrated by: Christopher Ragland
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About this listen

Liberalism - the comparatively mild-mannered sibling to the more ardent camps of nationalism and socialism - has never been so divisive as today. From Putin's populism, the Trump administration and autocratic rulers in democracies the world over, it has both thrived and failed under identity politics, authoritarianism, social media and a weakened free press the world over.

Since its inception following the post-Reformation wars, liberalism has come under attack from conservatives and progressives alike and today is dismissed by many as an 'obsolete doctrine'. In this brilliant and concise exposition, Francis Fukuyama sets out the cases for and against its classical premises: observing the rule of law, independence of judges, means over ends and, most of all, tolerance.

Pithy, to the point and ever pertinent, this is political dissection at its very best.

©2022 Francis Fukuyama (P)2022 Profile Books Ltd Political Science Politics & Government Liberalism Socialism Capitalism Social justice Authoritarianism Taxation Law Human Rights

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All stars
Most relevant
A must read to remind ourselves of the fundamental roll of Liberalism in our confusing world 🤔 🐰

Liberal Democracy... A reminder.

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A little short. Fukuyama isn’t saying much that is new. I still recommend it though, especially for anyone interested in what Fukuyama believes has gone wrong with liberalism today.

Dece

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As the world considers moving past liberal democracies this book is great at laying out the issues. What does liberalism really mean and how is the ideology bound up in democracy and capitalism. How can we keep the good bits but make societies fairer.

Clear communicator, great thinker

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Francis Fukuyama remains one of the most well informed and erudite thinkers of his generation. This book is an excellent follow up to "The End of History". It describes Liberalism, its modern travails and challenges and alternative ideas. It finishes with a rousing defence of Liberalism and some sound recommendations for the future. Highly recommended.

Excellent book by a brilliant mind

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This is less a academic book than a party political broadcast by the Democratic party in America. It honestly felt like talking points late night TV hosts string together to attack all things Republican. You'd be better off, IMO, to watch YouTube or talk to someone down the pub. Or, if you have a irrational hatred for all things Trump and Republican and want some bias confirmation then perhaps this is for you.

I am not.American, btw, but the focus is clear.

This is a party political broadcast by the ...

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