Democracy's Crisis of Identity
Stanford University’s Francis Fukuyama joins the Council to explain what is driving the focus on identity in politics today.
About This Event
Identity has become a defining—and divisive—political concept around the world. In recent years appeals to group identity have underpinned the election of Donald Trump, the success of the Brexit “leave” campaign, the rise of politicized Islam and anti-immigrant nationalism, and the emergence of powerful social movements like #metoo. But as demands for recognition based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, and gender have risen in prominence, these narrower identities are conflicting with the universal values of liberal democracy, argues Francis Fukuyama. What is driving the focus on identity in politics today? And can identity be molded in a way that supports rather than undermines democracy?
About the Speakers
Francis Fukuyama
Oliver Nomellini Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University