The Tragedy of Great Power Politics Audiobook By John J. Mearsheimer cover art

The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

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The Tragedy of Great Power Politics

By: John J. Mearsheimer
Narrated by: Mark Ashby
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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. Freedom & Security National & International Security Political Science Politics & Government National Security War China Imperialism Military Soviet Union Iran Imperial Japan American Foreign Policy Great Power Politics
Comprehensive Examples • Well-structured Analysis • Convincing Theory • Meaty Content • Accurate Predictions
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Mearsheimer not only provides theory but buttresses his approach with significant and comprehensive Examples where his analysis reflects the reality. Truly a wonderful resource and narrative. Definitely five stars.

Superb analysis and organization

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The predictions of the future between the US and China are the most salient points

A must read for anyone wanting to understand geopolitics

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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

Not dated at all

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Mearsheimer couldn’t have predicted the 9/11/2001 situation when he wrote this, and although in 2025 some of his realist predictions aren’t quite accurate while the US Empire still controls much of the world through NATO, but if you know human psychology then it follows that States act the same way. 2021 writing that is just as accurate as 2025. 5/5 stars, worth a (long) listen!

2021 writing that is just as accurate as 2025. 5/5 stars

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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.

Realpolitik: refreshing in its honesty

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I appreciate the authors sober analysis of geopolitics. A great read, I would reccomend this book.

Very informative.

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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.

Exceptional

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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.

Informative, yet repetitive

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

Good

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To be fair, this is an analysis of geopolitics. It's more like a collage course i.e. Geopolitical events in the 90s and early 2000s 101. I think there is more current and relevant information out there.

A little out dated. Somewhat repetitive.

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