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The Tragedy Of Great Power Politics (2001)

by John J. Mearsheimer(Favorite Author)

3.81 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0393349276 (ISBN13: 9780393349276)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

W. W. Norton & Company

review 1: In a 1992 campaign speech, then-candidate William Jefferson Clinton told his audience, "In a world where freedom, not tyranny, is on the march, the cynical calculus of pure power politics simply does not compute. It is ill-suited to a new era." This kind of rhetoric is wishful thinking, according to Mearsheimer -- and he spends 500+ pages outlining why. I appreciated the wealth of historical detail and the organization of this book, and I can't help but admire the author's chutzpah in taking on the IR establishment, but I can't help but think that his theory of "offensive realism" IS ill-suited to this era, in which political influence by non-state actors like multinational corporations, religious or ideological extremism in domestic politics, the changes in national id... moreentity that come out of large-scale immigration, and acts of terrorism all play a role in how states see and interact with each other. Mearsheimer's theory simply doesn't seem to me to hold up in the post-Cold War period. But an engrossing read nonetheless.
review 2: Mearsheimer writes about offensive realism, his theory of international politics. He specifically deals with great power relations, relating potential power to a state's population and wealth, and actual power which he ties directly to land power --- the army. He includes a fairly exhaustive list of major conflicts, mainly using England, France, Germany, Russia and the U.S ---- with a bit of Japan, Italy and Austria- Hungary thrown in as well. Mearsheimer considers other, more liberal theories as far too optimistic, and believes 'offensive realism' explains states' actions --- as well as inactions --- in a far more realistic manner. His bottom line is that nations are always trying to increase their power at the expense of others, as well as thwart another state's attempts to gain power. In-depth and informative --- interesting case studies. I will say that he continually pounds away, telling you what he's going to tell you, then telling you, then summarizing what he just told you. Although frustrating at times, it leads to better understanding, at least for me. Recommend it to all. less

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