Francis Fukuyama argues that the contemporary political landscape is increasingly shaped by the human desire for recognition-or thymos-which seeks both dignity and esteem. Fukuyama identifies two diverging reactions to this drive: identity politics on the left and populist nationalism on the right. Both, he contends, stem from a perceived loss of worth among individuals whose dignity goes unacknowledged by society. This turn toward identity-based mobilization poses a challenge to liberal democracy, threatening to supplant universal values with factional loyalties centred on race, religion, nationality, or gender.
Fukuyama also explores how modern liberal democracies must respond to these struggles over recognition. He critiques economic remedies alone as insufficient, since the core issue is symbolic respect rather than material resources. As a normative solution, he proposes fostering inclusive, civic identities-for example, emphasizing national or European citizenship-as a counterweight to narrow identity-based political divides. He suggests reforms like national service and robust integration policies as tools to build shared belonging and reaffirm the universal dignity that underpins democratic societies.