Endorsements
"Mearsheimer asks important and difficult questions and gives provocative answers. Here, he provides a fascinating account of how great powers behave and a powerful explanation of why they behave as they do. This book is the definitive work on offensive realism."
—Kenneth Waltz, Columbia University
"In The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, John Mearsheimer marshals enormous evidence and sophisticated logic to make an impressive case for his theory of ’offensive realism.’ This book ranks with, and in many respects supersedes, the works of Morgenthau and Waltz in the core canon of the realist literature on international politics. All serious students of international affairs will have to come to grips with its argument."
—Samuel P. Huntington, Harvard University
"The Tragedy of Great Power Politics takes realist theory to a new level of rigor and sophistication. In clear and accessible prose, Mearsheimer explains why security competition is ’hard-wired’ into the international system and identifies the different ways that great powers compete for power. His arguments are provocative and compelling, and supported by a wealth of historical evidence. Some readers may reject his conclusions, but few will find them easy to disregard. This book will be essential reading for scholars and students but will also be of interest to anyone who wants to know how international relations really works."
—Stephen M. Walt, Harvard University
"A superb book…Mearsheimer has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the behavior of great powers."
—Barry R. Posen, The National Interest
"This is the definitive work on offensive realism."
—Choice
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