In the Origins of Political Order, Francis Fukuyama explored the dawn of mankind to the French and American revolutions. He picks up this thread again in Political Order and Political Decay - the second instalment of his definitive account of mankind’s emergence as a political animal.

His book looks at the story of how state, law and democracy developed, how the modern landscape - with its uneasy tension between dictatorships and liberal democracies - evolved and how in the United States, and other developed democracies, unmistakeable signs of decay have emerged.

Francis talked about his latest book, arguing that the key to successful government can be reduced to three key elements: a strong state, the rule of law and institutions of democratic accountability.

Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of Nesta, interviewed Francis and there was also the opportunity for the audience to pose their own questions.