The Great Delusion
by John J. Mearsheimer
Liberal hegemony fails because nationalism and realism are stronger: the case against spreading democracy by force. Controversial realism.
Read it if…
you want the realist critique of American foreign policy.
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Skip it if…
you want the liberal internationalist view; see Kagan.
Try instead: The Tragedy of Great Power Politics →
Three things you will actually use
- Nationalism beats liberalism abroad.
- Restraint is strategy.
- Argue with both sides.
Do this first
Read the chapter on liberalism's limits.
Our verdict
Mearsheimer's Delusion.
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