The Tragedy of Great Power PoliticsAs 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 career -- a 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. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - brleach - LibraryThingMearsheimer's writing is extremely clear and his arguments are assertively made. However, he cherry-picks from the historical record and distorts even the examples he chooses to make his point. Even ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - Oceanwings07 - LibraryThingMearsheimer takes the "offensive realist" approach, that in an unstable, anarchic world, countries will do what is necessary to a. maintain the balance of power, and b. gain any additional power they ... Read full review
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Anarchy and the Struggle for Power | 29 |
Wealth and Power | 55 |
The Primacy of Land Power | 83 |
Strategies for Survival | 138 |
Great Powers in Action | 168 |
The Offshore Balancers | 234 |
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| Title | The Tragedy of Great Power Politics Norton series in world politics |
| Authors | John J. Mearsheimer, R Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science Co-Director of the Program on International Security Policy John J Mearsheimer |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company, 2001 |
| ISBN | 0393020258, 9780393020250 |
| Length | 555 pages |
| Subjects | › › Political Science / General Political Science / International Relations / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |