The Tragedy Of Great Power Politics

The opening chapter confronts a prevalent post-Cold War notion in the West: the idea of an enduring peace among great powers. Many, including influential thinkers, had come to believe that the end of the Cold War marked a fundamental change in the nature of international relations, steering the world away from security competitions and wars, which seemed increasingly obsolete.

John J. Mearsheimer critically examines this perspective, arguing that it is overly optimistic and, in fact, misguided. He asserts, “[T]he claim that security competition and war between the great powers have been purged from the international system is wrong” (1). This statement underscores his central thesis that the nature of international politics remains fundamentally competitive and conflict-prone.

Mearsheimer challenges the view that the end of the Cold War brought about a new era of peace and cooperation. He points out that the United States still maintained a significant military presence in Europe and Northeast Asia, not because of any lingering Cold War threats but to deter potential rivalries among major powers in these regions. This continued deployment of troops suggests an acknowledgment, even if unspoken, of the persistent potential for great power conflicts.