The final section of the book focuses on the "decay" of modern liberal democracies, particularly the .
A centralized authority with the "executive capability" to exercise power and provide services effectively. Political Order and Political Decay: From the I...
Humans have a biological "patrimonial" instinct to favor family and friends. Political order requires institutions to suppress this; "decay" occurs when these institutions fail and people revert to using the state for personal or tribal gain. Political Decay and the "Vetocracy" The final section of the book focuses on
Fukuyama argues that a successful modern state requires a delicate balance of three specific institutions: A once-strong state now suffering from "decay" through
In the U.S., many administrative issues are resolved in courts rather than by expert bureaucracies. This leads to a slow, costly legal process that further hinders state capacity.
A once-strong state now suffering from "decay" through legal gridlock and interest group capture.
Decay happens when institutions fail to adapt to changing social or economic conditions because of "cognitive inertia" or the self-interest of entrenched elites. Summary of Case Studies Role in Fukuyama's Analysis Denmark The "ideal" state where all three pillars are in balance. China