It is quite common for historians and political scientists to have dissimilar views on recent and past events, as well as make varied predictions in relation to the future. Thus, when drawing up visions of the ‘new world order’ that would follow after the end of the Cold War, Betts (2010), Fukuyama (1989), and Huntington (1993) created models focused on different aspects and concepts. These authors provided appealing arguments and justified their opinions by giving evidence, but it seems to me that Fukuyama’s model is more convincing than the other two visions.
In general, the world now nurtures and welcomes more liberal views, possibly the best among alternatives, including conservatism. In his essay, Fukuyama (1989) mentions that the end of the Cold War is also “the end point of mankind’s ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government” (p. 4). In other words, the author celebrates liberalism, de-emphasizing the role that the strive for recognition, justice, materialism, equality, and dignity plays in this ideology and the overall transformation of the world. As interpreted by Betts (2010), Fukuyama never said that history had completely ended; instead, he highlighted that the main barriers had been overcome, but it would still be required to face some conflicts and illiberal processes. Overall, this is what modern people can observe nowadays, and the key to continuing development is celebrating liberal democracy.
To conclude, one may say that all three views deserve attention because they are correct and justified to some point. However, since conservatism proves less effective and beneficial in modern times, the model focused on liberalism seems more convincing. Common development and trust are possible only if all states begin to view their existence not as a cycle of constant conflicts but as a progression and journey toward peace and prosperity.
References
Betts, R. K. (2010). Conflict or Cooperation? Three visions revisited. In G. Rose (Ed.), The clash at 20 (pp. 69-80). Foreign Affairs.
Fukuyama, F. (1989). The end of history? The National Interest, 16, 3–18. Web.
Huntington, S. P. (1993). The clash of civilizations? In G. Rose (Ed.), The clash at 20 (pp. 3-27). Foreign Affairs.