The End of History: A Modern View

Over twenty years ago, a philosopher named Francis Fukuyama wrote an article called The End of History. It was about the possible outcome of the human political system. He stated that every country in the world would eventually take up capitalism, or the Western Idea, and become a democracy. There would be no more war. There would be no more evolution in cultural arts like music and painting. Humans would come to a final stage of government. The World would sit down and solve all their problems.

He based his argument on the fact that everywhere, at his time; liberalism was over coming all other forms of government. The fall of the U.S.S.R. communism, and the German fascism were both very convincing pieces of evidence to support his theory. There was just no force that could stop democracy.

Twenty years is a long time. Has Fukuyama’s theory been borne out? Has it become obsolete? Will history end as he said it would?

In my opinion, Fukuyama’s theory is now partially correct. He is right in the sense that the Western Idea will eventually become the final form of government. All over the world, countries are becoming democratic and liberalist. All groups who oppose of capitalism, such as the Taliban, are being suppressed.

Even large communist countries, like China, will become liberalist. This is because it is human nature to want freedom. People will eventually realize that liberalism is the only form of government that offers them equal rights and freedom.

It is this specific need for freedom that proves Fukuyama right. This will gradually overcome the violent nature of humans and the ties one feels to his country. It will result in a rebellion of some sort that will eventually make the country capitalist. This has already taken place in countries such as India.

He is wrong in the sense that there will be no more cultural advancements. Even when the world of politics settles down, cultural developments will still continue to be made. Humans will keep their religion, their practices, and their traditions. This is proved by yet another of man’s natures. The creativity of humans.

I believe that human creativity cannot be suppressed. In thousands of years, the only reason we still are not living in caves is human creativeness and the change caused by it. Nothing at all would ever have been invented if someone had not curiously tinkered with something. We would have never found out what lightning really is if curiosity hadn’t made Benjamin Franklin fly that kite on that rainy day.

After overcoming all competition, a liberalist world will unite to solve its problems. Cultural and technological advancements will still take place. History will eventually come to an end. All this driven by Human Nature.