A rising global middle class is seen as a primary driver of democracy, as they tend to demand more institutional accountability and merit-based governance.

Fukuyama uses this term to describe a system with so many checks and balances that small interest groups can effectively block—or "veto"—any action that benefits the public good.

Fukuyama posits that the order in which these institutions develop matters immensely. For instance, countries that developed a strong, professional bureaucracy before democratization (like Prussia/Germany) often have more effective governance than those where democracy arrived before a competent state was built.

Ensuring the government remains responsive to the interests of the whole community, typically through elections. Key Themes and Insights