Presents the debate about the future of the world in the post-Cold War era. This book expands on the author's work to address the fundamental and far-reaching themes of the new millennium.

In 1989, Francis Fukuyama began an explosive debate about the future of the world in the post-Cold War era with an article entitled "The End of History and the Last Man". This seminal book expands on his original work to address the fundamental and far-reaching themes of the new millennium. The result is nothing short of an historical and philosophical primer for the onslaught of the 21st century. 'In the mastery and scope of its case, "The End of History and the Last Man" may be seen as the first book of the post-Marxist millennium - the first work fully to fathom the depth and range of the changes now sweeping through the world' - George Gilder, the "Washington Post".

Part 1 An old question asked anew: our pessimism
the weakness of strong states 1
the weakness of strong states 2, or, eating pineapples on the moon
the worldwide liberal revolution. Part 2 The old age of mankind: an idea for a universal history
the mechanism of desire
no barbarians at the gates
accumulation without end
the victory of the VCR
in the land of education
the former question answered
no democracy without democrats. Part 3 The struggle for recognition: in the beginning, a battle to the death for pure prestige
the first man
a vacation in Bulgaria
the beast with red cheeks
the rise and fall of Thymos
lordship and bondage
the universal and homogeneous state
Part 4 Leaping over Rhodes: the coldest of all cold monsters
the thymotic origins of work
empires of resentment, empires of deference
the unreality of "realism"
the power of the powerless
national interests
toward a pacific union. Part 5 The last man: in the realm of freedom
men without chests
free and unequal
perfect rights and defective duties
immense wars of the spirit.