Francis Fukuyama
2015
The 2015 Johan Skytte Prize is awarded to Francis Fukuyama “for breath-taking learnedness, clarity and courage thrown new light over the growth of modern political order.”
Francis Fukuyama, professor and political scientist at Stanford University, received the Johan Skytte Prize in 2015 for his work on the development of political order, which have evolved from primitive societies to centralized states..
In his metaphor of "Getting to Denmark," Fukuyama describes the ideal political state characterized by a strong government, effective rule of law, and accountable democracy, as seen in Scandinavian countries. However, he cautions against simplistic solutions, noting that political order is shaped by historical, cultural, and social contexts.
Fukuyama also addresses the challenges of nepotism and the importance of meritocracy in building effective states. He draws on historical examples, such as the Ottoman Empire's use of elite slaves, to illustrate how societies have attempted to mitigate the influence of kinship on governance.
Illustration by Anna Ileby