The illusion of the end

Abstract

What would it mean to treat post-history as ‘history’? Taking up this question, Alex Hochuli, George Hoare and Phil Cunliffe’s The End of the End of History reads Francis Fukuyama’s diagnosis of the ‘end of history’ thesis through the lens of political economy, while anatomizing its demise in the populist 2010s. This roundtable contribution assesses Hoare, Cunliffe and Hochuli’s diagnosis in light of recent developments. Stalked by inflation, resurgent militarism and so-called hyper-politics, the 2020s present both challenge and vindication to the ‘Aufhebunga’ approach to post-post-history.