Most Americans used to think of it as a force for good — not any longer
A complex society is best served by a competent, professional and neutral public service
The Republican president-elect is inaugurating a new era in US politics and perhaps for the world as a whole
When a society’s institutions fail to adapt to changing circumstances, sclerosis follows
The political philosopher takes on critics on both left and right to offer a to-do list for the liberal centre
Democratic values were already under threat around the world before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Now we need to rekindle the spirit of 1989
How do democracies measure up against autocratic regimes in handling the pandemic?
Michael Ignatieff on why we have to look beyond group identity and failed meritocracy
Across the world, every social, political and economic debate centres on the issue
In 1989, the political scientist said liberal democracy signalled ‘the end of history’. He looks at the nationalist politics now reshaping the west
Why business leaders tend to make poor politicians
Two new plays tackle history, with Joël Pommerat’s French Revolution drama the more successful
West blew its peace dividend in 20-year party of consumption and speculation, says Niall Ferguson
Demands for certain kinds of openness have hurt government effectiveness, writes Francis Fukuyama
Fifteen years after the celebrated ‘Bowling Alone’, the political scientist turns his attention to inequality. The results should shock Americans into confronting what has happened to their society
A round-up of the titles to remember
The triumph of liberal freedoms looks far from assured in this grand survey of political change since the Industrial Revolution – and the US is no exception
British history offers the president some lessons, write Francis Fukuyama and Karl Eikenberry
Europeans have been slow to recognise the world as it is rather than as they imagined
Allies America is sworn to defend are threatened elsewhere, writes Francis Fukuyama
Concerns grow that ‘peace dividend’ of 1990s must be repaid
As the economy slows and middle-class discontent grows, it is the question that’s now being asked not only outside but inside the country. Even at the Central Party School there is talk of the unthinkable: the collapse of Chinese communism
‘Nina Ricci’s new mini-collection should be called ‘pre-pre-spring’ – but that’s really too silly’
