The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

By: John J. Mearsheimer

Narrated by: Mark Ashby

Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

A decade after the cold war ended, policy makers and academics foresaw a new era of peace and prosperity, an era in which democracy and open trade would herald the "end of history." The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, sadly shattered these idyllic illusions, and John Mearsheimer's masterful new book explains why these harmonious visions remain utopian.

To Mearsheimer, great power politics are tragic because the anarchy of the international system requires states to seek dominance at one another's expense, dooming even peaceful nations to a relentless power struggle. Mearsheimer illuminates his theory of offensive realism through a sweeping survey of modern great power struggles and reflects on the bleak prospects for peace in Europe and northeast Asia, arguing that the United States's security competition with a rising China will intensify regardless of "engagement" policies.

©2001 John J. Mearsheimer (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Exceptional

Measheimer does what few others are in able or willing to do: to approach geopolitics from a rigorous theoretical perspective, to take a rational, sober view of the world using rigorous methodology and both basing and assessing theory in comparison to the broad range of historical case studies.

In this work, Measheimer lays out in detail the theory of "offensive realism", a neo-realist school distinct from its sibling defensive realism, but also distinct from classical realism. The greatest contrast, of course, is with liberalism, which in the context of foreign relations means that realism is a materialist paradigm that sees politics as being shaped by geography, economics, and power relationships, with offensive realism having the specific prescripts about the nature of the dynamics behind the picture.

For example, offensive realism envisions states as sociopolitical entities whose primary goal is to survive, and because the need for survival quickly brings into view some obvious security dilemmas (states can't be certain of the intentions of others states, therefore they prepare for war and likewise see the preparations and capabilities of other states as potentially threatening to their existence) states will seek to maximize their relative power.

Whether that view is cynical or astute depends on your own biases, but I found Measheimer's arguments well founded and well supported, with a rich analysis and historical backdrop that will make the work entertaining even if one doesn't accept his theory in whole. Indeed, while I think offensive realism has real merit as a theory for understanding international politics, I also think it omits some key factors, such as human psychology and moral influence (moral in the sense Sun Tzu meant the word, not simply in terms of right and wrong).

For me, I think Measheimer captures the essence of a very real pattern underlying geopolitical logic, but that this could only be one of multiple dimension in a more complex multi-stable picture. In any case, this book is meaty, well written, and well structured.

The narration is also quite good.

Not dated at all

I was originally worried that the analysis wouldn't stand the test of time before starting the book. It's still relevant and has aged well

Realpolitik: refreshing in its honesty

I read Mearsheimer's "The Great Delusion" which is why I read this one second. I found the Great Delusion to be refreshingly clear-eyed and informative. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics is, however, an effort to simplify great power actions by their set-pieces as if each move leads to another. It's good knowledge to have although not surprising.

Good

Well written, nicely read a bit repetitive as is usually the costume in this kind of subject.

Informative, yet repetitive

Mearsheimer's description of offensive realism and its ramifications remains thoroughly convincing, even if his central point is clinched early in the book. The majority of the book is dedicated to presenting modern history through a realist lens. His goal is to illustrate that throughout modern history state's interactions are largely consistent with the predictions of offensive realism. He does this convincingly.

The best modern explanation of Real Politik

It is fashionable in political circles to disparage political realism as an outmoded and short sighted prism of international relations, and while this reader does not currently place substantial stock within this paradigm, nonetheless, one can acknowledge the masterly way Mearsheimer argues the realist case, both throughout history, and with regard to contemporary realities.
A criticism one may raise is that the book's historical analysis is too heavily focused upon the two world wars, however, Mearsheimer's purpose is the exploration of geopolitical dynamics, not necessarily history itself.
As the book was written in 2001, his analysis of the contemporary world provides an interesting exploration of the realist paradigm, however, with hindsight, it does not appear to lend so much credence to the advocacy of realism, as many of the scenarios, such as a greater Euro centric defence environment, have not come to pass, and the security dynamics in both Europe and North East Asia remain largely unchanged.
However, John Mearsheimer's book is an absolutely essential book for any student of international relations, or for graduates of international relations (like this reader) who wish to revise their understanding.