Virtually all human societies were once organized tribally, yet over time most developed new political institutions which 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 are unable to perform in many of today’s developing countries—with often disastrous consequences for the rest of the world. Francis Fukuyama, author of the bestselling 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.

Originally published 2011.

Before the State. The necessity of politics -- The state of nature -- The tyranny of cousins -- Tribal societies: property, justice, war -- The coming of the Leviathan. -- State Building. Chinese tribalism -- War and the rise of the Chinese State -- The Great Han System -- Political decay and the return of patrimonial government -- The Indian detour -- Varnas and Jatis -- Weaknesses of Indian polities -- Slavery and the Muslim exit from tribalism -- The Mamluks save Islam -- The functioning and decline of the Ottoman State -- Christianity undermines the family. -- The Rule of Law. The origins of the rule of law -- The Church becomes a state -- The State becomes a church -- Oriental despotism -- Stationary bandits. -- Accountable Government. The rise of political accountability -- Rente seekers -- Patrimonialism crosses the Atlantic -- East of the Elbe -- Toward a more perfect absolutism -- Taxation and representation -- Why accountability? Why absolutism? -- Toward a Theory of Political Development. Political development and political decay -- Political development, then and now.