The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (Updated Edition)

John J. Mearsheimer

W. W. Norton, Jan 17, 2003 - Political Science - 576 pages

"A superb book.…Mearsheimer has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the behavior of great powers."—Barry R. Posen, The National Interest

The updated edition of this classic treatise on the behavior of great powers takes a penetrating look at the question likely to dominate international relations in the twenty-first century: Can China rise peacefully? In clear, eloquent prose, John Mearsheimer explains why the answer is no: a rising China will seek to dominate Asia, while the United States, determined to remain the world's sole regional hegemon, will go to great lengths to prevent that from happening. The tragedy of great power politics is inescapable.

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - brleach - LibraryThing

Mearsheimer'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 ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - Oceanwings07 - LibraryThing

Mearsheimer 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 ...

About the author

John J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science and codirector of the Program on International Security Policy at the University of Chicago.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Tragedy of Great Power Politics (Updated Edition)
• Author: John J. Mearsheimer
• Publisher: W. W. Norton, 2003
• ISBN: 0393076245, 9780393076240
• Length: 576 pages
• Subjects: Political Science / Security (National & International)