Survival is the Goal

In his article, The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, John Mearsheimer displays a realist and fairly accurate portrayal of the international system. Mearsheimer argues that states within an anarchic system tend to act with intentions of self-help while maintaining a primary focus on survival. I agree with Mearsheimer’s five assumptions about the international system and his theory that hegemony is the ultimate goal of states in an anarchic system. I also find his opinions on state’s intentions in regards to the ‘security dilemma’ and alliances to be true as well. Mearsheimer’s analysis on the mentality of great powers within an anarchic system is highly accurate and portrays their intentions and goals justly.

While some liberals might find Mearsheimer’s opinion that no states within an anarchic system are to be trusted to be a bit extreme and claim that Mearsheimer is simply paranoid, I agree with the realists and find that there is indeed truth behind it. Given that there is no one power that rules over all the states in the international system, it is not realistic for states to view themselves as part of a community and thus take part in actions of self-help. Mearsheimer states, “From the perspective of any one great power, all other great powers are potential enemies” (Mearsheimer 32). Because Mearsheimer views the international system in terms of an ‘every man for himself’ scenario, I agree with his statement and understand the need for suspicion among other states for a means of survival. In this type of ‘survival of the fittest’ situation, I can attest to the fact that one state’s loss is another’s gain. Another valid point of Mearsheimer’s argument is his claim that the best way for states to ensure their security is to achieve hegemony. Naturally the best way to be safe from outside attacks is to be the most powerful force. Therefore it is quite logical that hegemony would be the ultimate goal of states within an anarchic system.

In addition to Mearsheimer’s opinion on state’s intentions in terms of security and hegemony, I also agree with his logic that the anarchic system is purely competitive at its core. Mearsheimer states, “Genuine peace, or a world in which states do not compete for power, is not likely as long as the state system remains anarchic” (53). The balance of power is highly important in the international system and all states are constantly fighting to gain power, weather regionally or globally. A state’s power and the potential to gain power is a highly influential factor when making decisions including the decision to form alliances. A state would not choose to enter an alliance if there was any possibility that its power would be threatened. Similarly, the potential to gain power may cause many alliances to form. For example, having peace agreements with Israel is crucial to the United States as it allows us to have gains in the Middle East. In this way, the security of Israel then becomes a priority to the United States as well.

Lastly, Mearsheimer makes the claim that states in the international system are rational thinkers. He suggests that states do not simply “charge headlong into losing wars or pursue Pyrrhic victories” (37). In a system where survival is the primary goal, it is only logical that states think carefully about each decision and how it will be perceived by other states in the system. Considering how important factors such as power and strategic gains are to actors in this type of system, rationality is key for success.

            Mearsheimer offers a realist and accurate portrayal of how states in an anarchic international system act and think. He makes several valid points in his argument including that the primary goal is survival and achieving survival leads to the ultimate competition among states. His theory that states within the international system operate mainly with intentions of self help is accurate. States within the anarchic international system are on their own, their power, gains and survival is not guaranteed and must be worked for every day.