The Tragedy of Great Power Politics
by John J. Mearsheimer
Offensive realism: great powers seek hegemony because the system forces them to, with history from 1792 to China's rise. The foundational realist text.
Read it if…
you want the theory behind realist analysis.
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Skip it if…
you want current events only.
Try instead: Destined for War →
Three things you will actually use
- Anarchy compels competition.
- Power is security.
- Expect rivalry with China.
Do this first
Read the chapter on China's rise in the updated edition.
Our verdict
Offensive realism.
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