John J. Mearsheimer

John Mearsheimer
John Joseph Mearsheimer
Born	(1947-12-14) December 14, 1947 (age 69) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Era	International relations theory
Region	Western Philosophers
School	Neorealism
Main interests	International security, Deterrence theory
Notable ideas	Offensive neorealism
Influences Hans Morgenthau, E. H. Carr

John Joseph Mearsheimer (/ˈmɜːrʃhaɪmər/; born December 14, 1947) is an American political scientist. He proposed the theory of offensive realism which describes the interaction between great powers as dominated by a rational desire to achieve hegemony in a world of insecurity and uncertainty regarding other states' intentions. Mearsheimer was a vocal opponent of the Iraq War in 2003 and was almost alone in opposing Ukraine's decision to give up its nuclear weapons in 1994 and predicted that, without a deterrent, they would face Russian aggression. His most controversial views concern alleged influence by interest groups over US government actions in the Middle East which he wrote about in The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy. In accordance with his theory Mearsheimer considers that China's growing power will likely bring it into conflict with the United States. His work is frequently taught to and read by twenty-first century students of political science. Admirers see him as discounting rhetoric to show how states behave. Critics charge him with having an outdated zero-sum view of the world.

Mearsheimer was born in December 1947 in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in New York City until the age of eight, when his parents moved his family to Croton-on-Hudson, New York, a suburb located in Westchester County. When he was 17, Mearsheimer enlisted in the U.S. Army. After one year as an enlisted member, he chose to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He attended West Point from 1966 to 1970. After graduation, he served for five years as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.