Fukuyama: 鈥榃e've forgotten what real tyranny is鈥�
Liberal democracies have become too comfortable and complacent, the political scientist says.
Renowned political scientist Dr Francis Fukuyama says the war in Ukraine is symbolic of a world that is now divided between liberal democracies and authoritarian governments.
Thirty years ago, the Soviet Union collapsed, and communist governments fell across Eastern Europe.
Liberal democracy appeared to have won the Cold War and triumphed in the battle of ideas. Back then Dr Fukuyama posed a question - if humanity had arrived at the most effective form of government, were we at the end of history?
In the years since, liberal democracy has often seemed in retreat - divided and doubtful. The problem, Dr Fukuyama tells Hardtalk鈥檚 Sarah Montague, is 鈥渨e've gotten too comfortable and really complacent鈥� we鈥檝e gotten used to peace and prosperity鈥� we鈥檝e forgotten what real tyranny is like, what real military aggression is like鈥�.
But when Russia invaded Ukraine the world changed again. Dr Fukuyama believes President Vladimir Putin has miscalculated and is heading for defeat.
鈥淪olidarity within the Nato alliance has really been revived to an extent that we've really not seen since the Cold War,鈥� he says.
