The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

by John Mearsheimer · 2001

John J. Mearsheimer’s *The Tragedy of Great Power Politics* is a seminal work of realist international‑relations theory. In clear, forceful prose he argues that the anarchic structure of the international system compels great powers to seek regional hegemony and to maximize relative power, because no central authority can guarantee security. The book develops the theory of “offensive realism,” explaining why states—especially the United States and a rising China—are driven to dominate their regions and why war and rivalry are often inevitable. Mearsheimer critiques liberal optimism about peace, trade, and institutions, showing that survival depends on power, balancing, and sometimes pre‑emptive action. The updated edition focuses on the contemporary challenge of China’s rise, asserting that a peaceful ascent is unlikely given the United States’ determination to remain the sole regional hegemon.