By Frank Benjamin Horn Hartvedt
Does that sound like a hard-hitting headline for an article? Do not be surprised if I write that piece one day.
The political scientist Francis Fukuyama sailed onto “the big scene” in 1992 with his dramatic magnum opus, The End of History and the Last Man. I read his book in 2011/2012 and revisited it some time later with my German Shepherd, Ben, sighing at my side. It was so inspiring that you almost couldn’t believe what you were experiencing. What insight, what theater, what a master of words. And yet, the conservative Francis lacked sufficient insight.
Fukuyama argued that two archetypes could threaten the historical (and perhaps final) victor: “liberal democracy.”
Firstly, he proclaimed his fear regarding personalities like Donald J. Trump. What if such juggernauts could become so dissatisfied with the mundanity of life in a liberal democracy that they began to entertain thoughts of emulating historical icons like Alexander the Great? For who cares about petty political triumphs behind a desk in Washington when people speak of Alexander – the majesty and the commander, the war hero, the man who lived and triumphed in a world of such excitement and destruction that bickering in white houses, senates, and congresses becomes a pathetic activity by comparison.
Fukuyama was also afraid of new “equalizers.” But I decline to address those, as those people are not nearly as interesting.
Fukuyama’s blunder is that he forgot one archetype on his monumental journey through history. The central archetype, if you ask me. Fukuyama failed to grasp what caliphs and kings recognized so profoundly: that “maximum happiness at all times” is the meaning of life. Had he understood this, he would have encouraged people to choose “absolute” freedom as quickly as possible.
What Francis should do this spring is visit every page related to Maksima and read about the fact that nature is so powerful that it challenges everyone and everything. Bring as many ideas, faith concepts, and grand visions as you want, but never forget that nature wins every time. It is a mystery to me that people dare to sniff with such eagerness and absorption into the intimate relations and affairs of other adults. These people judge, condemn, and corner others at every turn. In the end, nature says enough is enough.
Liberal democracy is here to stay; most of us agree on that. No one in their right mind wants to return to the battlefield of Gaugamela. But the people of the West may soon find themselves there if they fail to recognize the third forgotten archetype. I sent an email to Francis many years ago because I was so impressed by his work. He thanked me most graciously for it. He will receive another email this year.
Published March 15, 2026.