The Tragedy of Great Power Politics - Hardcover

Mearsheimer, John J.

4.04

3,038 ratings by Goodreads

9780393020250: The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0393020258 ISBN 13: 9780393020250

Publisher: W W Norton & Co Inc, 2001

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A jarring and compelling analysis of the inevitability of war. As the Cold War fades, leaders and theorists alike speak of a new era, when democracy and open trade will join hands to banish outright war. With insight and irreverence worthy of The Prince, John Mearsheimer exposes the truth behind this idyllic rhetoric: in a world where no international authority reigns, hegemony is the only insurance of security. Of little consequence are trade, treaties, or the bonds of international organizations; because even an ally's intentions are uncertain, states must be ready to strike first when danger lurks. Having exploded onto the scene with his sensational Atlantic article, Mearsheimer has forged his bracing analysis in the heated policy debates following the fall of the Soviet Union. Here is the culmination of a provocative careera tour de force that formally advances his theory of "offensive realism" and, as supporting evidence, unveils a comprehensive, eye-opening history of modern states and their hawkish ways. With its authority and unrelenting honesty, this book will invigorate academics, vex politicians, and excite even the casual observer of international affairs. 9 maps.

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Review:

This hardheaded book about international relations contains no comforting bromides about "peace dividends" or "the family of nations." Instead, University of Chicago professor John J. Mearsheimer posits an almost Darwinian state of affairs: "The great powers seek to maximize their share of world power" because "having dominant power is the best means to ensure one's own survival." Mearsheimer comes from the realist school of statecraft--he calls his own brand of thinking "offensive realism"--and he warns repeatedly against putting too much faith in the goodwill of other countries. "The sad fact is that international politics has always been a ruthless and dangerous business," he writes. Much of the book is an attempt to show how the diplomatic and military history of the last two centuries supports his ideas. Toward the end of The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, he applies his theories to the current scene: "I believe that the existing power structures in Europe in Northeast Asia are not sustainable through 2020." Mearsheimer is especially critical of America's policy of engagement with China; he thinks that trying to make China wealthy and democratic will only make it a stronger rival. This is a controversial idea, but it is ably argued and difficult to ignore. --John Miller

About the Author:

John J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, where he is also co-director of the Program on International Security Policy.

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