But apart from growth, the data are relatively clear. There’s no better practicable political system than democracy. If by 2050, we routinely observe large, innovative autocracies delivering high living standards while suppressing rights, the rule of law, and open information, then I think Fukuyama’s thesis can be declared wrong. But we’re not seeing that right now, and to my mind there aren’t any strong indications of it changing over the coming decades.