State Building: Governance and World Order in the 21st Century by Francis Fukuyama (Hardcover)

“State Building: Governance and World Order in the 21st Century” is a book written by Francis Fukuyama, a political scientist and public intellectual. The book examines the challenges of state building in the 21st century, focusing on the relationship between effective governance and global order.

Fukuyama argues that state building is a critical task for countries around the world, as weak and failed states can create a breeding ground for terrorism, crime, and instability. He explores the different factors that contribute to effective state building, including the role of institutions, culture, and leadership.

Fukuyama also analyzes the implications of state building for global governance, arguing that the rise of new powers and the changing nature of international relations require a new approach to managing global affairs. He suggests that a new form of global governance is needed, one that is more decentralized and based on networks of cooperation rather than traditional hierarchies of power.

Throughout the book, Fukuyama draws on a range of case studies, from the success of post-World War II state building in Japan and Germany to the challenges of building effective states in Afghanistan and Iraq. He offers a nuanced and insightful analysis of the complex task of state building and its implications for the future of global governance.