John J. Mearsheimer is the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, where he has taught since the end of the Cold War. His work on great power politics and realism has garnered both praise and controversy in academic and policy circles. Realism provides useful tools for dissecting state behavior and interests, but it cannot fully account for Russia's diplomatic misfires or the complexity of international relations.
As Mearsheimer explained his thinking on the Ukraine war in media interviews, he became the most infamous, perhaps even most hated, academic in the world. His analysis of power dynamics, security dilemmas, and the tragedy of great power politics challenges conventional wisdom and forces policymakers to rethink their strategies.
By John J. Mearsheimer... It was a momentous choice. Three decades ago, the Cold War ended, and the United States had won. It was now the sole superpower, with unmatched military capabilities and economic influence. The world seemed poised for an era of peace and prosperity, yet the reality of great power politics quickly set in.
Political scientist John J. Mearsheimer on US-India ties, why China wants to be powerful, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the power of the Israel lobby in shaping foreign policy. His analysis sheds light on the complex interplay of interests, alliances, and rivalries that define the international landscape.
The meeting at San Francisco between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping offers a short respite in the broader strategic conflict that both states have been engaged in. Mearsheimer's insights into power dynamics, security dilemmas, and the limits of diplomacy provide valuable perspective on the challenges facing world leaders.
John J. Mearsheimer's The Great Delusion: Liberal Dreams and International Realities argues how the United States' pursuit of a “liberal hegemony” has been a flawed and costly endeavor. His critique of idealistic foreign policies and the dangers of overreach resonates with scholars and policymakers alike.
Many Western scholars studying Russia and policymakers dealing with Russia have long found it an exhausting and bewildering endeavor. Mearsheimer's realist perspective offers a framework for understanding Russian actions, motivations, and strategic thinking in a volatile international environment.
