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Francis Fukuyama became known worldwide with The End of History and the Last Man, a work that marked the post-Cold War era by suggesting that liberal democracy could be the most stable political model — a thesis that is still debated today. But Fukuyama is also the author of in-depth research into the evolution of political systems, the quality of the State and the risks that threaten current democracies.
Rui Duarte Silva
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Vasco Lourenço, photographed by Expresso in July, was the first to sign the document
Nuno Botelho
The conversation addresses the global retreat of democracy, the growth of populism and the rise of authoritarian leaders. Fukuyama explains how many of these phenomena result from states’ loss of capacity to govern effectively. It also explores the internal diversity of contemporary populism, from Trump’s chaos to Orbán’s authoritarianism, from Meloni’s unexpected moderation to Milei’s unique case, showing that the “populist” category is today much more heterogeneous than one might think.
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Fukuyama also reflects on the cultural differences between Europe and the US and how new tools — from AI to deliberative assemblies — can help rebuild democratic trust. A true intellectual tour de force, made possible thanks to the bridge created by Diana Ramos, and an indispensable passage through the debates that shape the future of democracies.
Tiago Pereira Santos
45 Graus is a podcast to learn more and think critically. José Maria Pimentel – economist, university professor and curious by nature – talks about major topics (and beyond) with experts and people whose ideas are worth listening to. They are unhurried conversations, sometimes deep, but always relaxed. New episodes every two weeks, always on Wednesdays.