Offensive realism

Offensive realism is a theory of international politics in which anarchy and uncertainty push great powers to maximize relative power, seeking regional hegemony as the surest route to survival.

International anarchy: A condition in which no central authority governs relations among states. With no authority able to guarantee protection, states must provide for their own survival.
Structural realism: A theory that explains international outcomes through the structure of the state system, especially anarchy and the distribution of capabilities. Offensive realism is a structural realist theory with a distinctive claim about how much power states seek.
John Mearsheimer: An American political scientist known for developing offensive realism and studying great-power politics. He gave the theory its clearest statement and defended it through historical analysis.
Defensive realism: A structural realist theory holding that states usually seek enough power for security rather than maximum power. It rejects offensive realism's claim that great powers generally pursue every opportunity to increase dominance.
Napoleonic Wars: A series of European wars from 1803 to 1815 that ended with Napoleon's defeat and a new balance of power. Mearsheimer treats Napoleonic France as a failed bid for European hegemony checked by opposing coalitions.
Security dilemma: A dynamic in which steps one state takes to increase its security make other states feel less secure. Uncertainty makes defensive moves difficult to distinguish from preparations for aggression.
Survival (international relations): The continued existence and political independence of a state. Survival is the basic goal that makes power accumulation a means rather than an end in itself.
The Tragedy of Great Power Politics: John Mearsheimer's book arguing that great powers seek regional hegemony under international anarchy. This book presents the theory's assumptions, mechanisms, and historical argument.
Neoliberal institutionalism: A theory that explains how international institutions enable cooperation among states despite anarchy. It assigns institutions greater power to support cooperation than offensive realism considers possible.
World War I: A global war fought from 1914 to 1918, centered on the conflict among the European great powers. Its alliances and competition provide a case for examining power politics under uncertainty.

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