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Francis Fukuyama, political scientist

Michael Berkeley's guest is the political scientist Francis Fukuyama, whose 1992 book The End of History and the Last Man was an international best-seller.

The American political scientist Francis Fukuyama loves big ideas, and his 1992 book The End of History and the Last Man was an international best-seller.

It argued that – after the collapse of the Soviet Union - Western liberal democracy was the best system of governance. It wasn’t perfect and hadn’t achieved everything, but it was the most humanly satisfying model.

He also stated that “the end of history will be a very sad time” – predicting that safe, prosperous "last men" would grow bored and restless. Eventually this would fuel a rage against the establishment that would invite populism.

Francis’s most recent book is a memoir called In the Realm of the Last Man, in which he reflects on his political evolution over five decades, and also writes about some of his favourite music. His choices for Private Passions include works by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Carl Orff.

Presenter Michael Berkeley
Producer Clare Walker

28 days left to listen

1 hour, 26 minutes

Last on

Yesterday 12:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Wir eilen mit schwachen (Cantata BWV.78 'Jesu, der du meine Seele')

    Singer: Ingrid Schmithüsen. Singer: Charles Brett. Orchestra: La Chapelle Royale. Conductor: Philippe Herreweghe.
    • Bach / Trauer-ode / La Chapelle Royale.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 12.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Lascia ch'io pianga (Rinaldo)

    Singer: Simone Kermes. Orchestra: La magnifica comunità. Conductor: Isabella Longo.
    • SONY CLASSICAL.

  • Dorothy Fields & Richard Leonard

    I Can't Give You Anything But Love

    • An Evening With Dorothy Fields.
    • DRG Records.
    • 3.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Partita no.2 in C minor BWV.826 (Sinfonia)

    Performer: Glenn Gould.
    • Glenn Gould plays Bach: 6 Partitas BWV 825-830; Chromatic Fantasy BWV 903; Itali.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 7.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Partita no.2 in C minor BWV.826 (Sinfonia - extract)

    Ensemble: The Swingle Singers.
    • Jazz S Bach.
    • Universal Music Division Decca Records France.
    • 9.

  • Ariel Ramírez

    Alfonsina Y El Mar

    Performer: Ariel Ramírez. Performer: Hector Zeoli. Singer: Mercedes Sosa.
    • 30 años.
    • Universal Music Argentina S.A..
    • 8.

  • Erik Satie

    La diva de l'empire

    Performer: Rudolf Jansen. Singer: Elly Ameling.
    • Serenata (Elly Ameling – The Philips Recitals, Vol. 24).
    • Universal Music.
    • 9.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Nie werd' ich deine Huld (Die Entführung aus dem Serail)

    Singer: Lynne Dawson. Singer: Uwe Heilmann. Ensemble: Academy of Ancient Music. Conductor: Christopher Hogwood.
    • Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail.
    • Decca.
    • 36.

  • Carl Orff

    Street Song (Schulwerk)

    Composer: Gunild Keetman. Ensemble: Unnamed Ensemble. Conductor: Carl Orff.
    • Musica Poetica – Orff Schulwerk.
    • RCA.
    • 14.

  • Alfredo Rosales

    Zamba para no morir

    Composer: Noberto Ambros. Singer: Vincenzo Capezzuto. Ensemble: L’Arpeggiata. Conductor: Christina Pluhar.
    • Los Pajaros Perdidos.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 9.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Pt 1, "Quoniam tu solus" & "Cum Sancto Spiritu"

    Ensemble: Pygmalion. Conductor: Raphaël Pichon.
    • J. S. Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232.
    • Harmonia Mundi.
    • 12.

Broadcast

  • Yesterday 12:00
    BBC Radio 3

Podcast

  • Private Passions

    Guests from all walks of life discuss their musical passions.