Spiegel Online: The End of the End of History

Political systems of the West may no longer be perceived as the most effective way to organize human societies, and Francis Fukuyama’s prediction that democracy and Western values would triumph after the fall of communism in 1989 now seems presumptuous: “in the past 11 years, freedom around the world has receded. Of 195 states only 87 are still free, 59 are partially free and 49 are not free at all according to the NGO Freedom House,” explains Klaus Brinkbäumer for Spiegel Online. Western values are in doubt, subjected to new scrutiny, after “missteps” including the US-led intervention in Iraq, the 2008 financial crisis, and Russian interference in major elections and in the United States and Great Britain. Germany is also divided in its struggle to form a coalition government, notes Brinkbäumer. Leading Western democracies must resist deep polarization and resentment to organize their governments for the common good. Otherwise, they will continue to usher in an era with China as the dominant force in values, economic power and system of governance. – YaleGlobal