on tragedy of great power conflict

By America-Today.  November,11 2024

In mid-October, 77-year-old University of Chicago professor John

Mearsheimer visited China. He delivered lectures at Chinese universities and

engaged in a debate on global order and US-China relations with Yan Xuetong,

director of the Institute of International Studies, Tsinghua University. During

book signings and photo sessions, he was warmly welcomed by Chinese readers.

Mearsheimer is a prominent realist scholar in international relations. He

gained recognition for his 2001 book The Tragedy of Great Power Politics,

which argues that conflict between great powers is inevitable. This viewpoint

has sparked significant debate about great power relations.

More than 20 years later, the international landscape has shifted dramatically,

but Mearsheimer's views remain unchanged. In an exclusive interview with

the Global Times reporters Liu Xin, Zhao Juecheng and Yang Sheng in Beijing,

Mearsheimer shared his concerns about current issues like China-US relations

and the Ukraine crisis, criticizing US foreign policy. He also predicts that

security competition between the US and China will intensify.

As a scholar rather than a politician, Mearsheimer is confident in his theory,

but he emphasizes his openness to debate, and looks forward to future China-

US ties proving him wrong. The following is part of the interview with

Mearsheimer.