Fukuyama's much-publicised "end of history" theory made interesting if not very convincing reading, but the success of his first book seems rather to have gone to his head. This new product is subtitled Human nature and the reconstitution of social order, a proposition which seems a tall order, whether abstractly or realistically considered. There is much use of that current cliche "social capital", a great deal of talk about technology and management, some discussion of the role of religion (now lacking state support, but still very much alive) and of "family norms". Fukuyama even conjectures a possible "end of hierarchy", a suggestion which seems not only unrealistic and impractical, but Utopian. All this is backed up with charts and diagrams, and a notable absence of humour.