This articulates well criticisms that I have had in my head for a while, half formed, of Mearsheimer's position. In addition to your great points, even if we fully accept his argument that NATO has been "aggressive" by expanding into Eastern Europe, what right does Mearsheimer have to criticize them for it? That's a perfectly understanda…
This articulates well criticisms that I have had in my head for a while, half formed, of Mearsheimer's position. In addition to your great points, even if we fully accept his argument that NATO has been "aggressive" by expanding into Eastern Europe, what right does Mearsheimer have to criticize them for it? That's a perfectly understandable thing for the West to do within his framework. If the world is international anarchy, and states act out of fear, then shouldn't he approve of the more powerful state / coalition (the West) using its power to secure a larger sphere of influence?
I see other commenters have made similar points. It's somewhat inexplicable to me why Mearsheimer seems unaware of the holes in his position.
I don't want to have a sphere of influence in backward third world countries. It's not in my interest to do so, you get sucked into their garbage problems and there is little upside to show for it.
This articulates well criticisms that I have had in my head for a while, half formed, of Mearsheimer's position. In addition to your great points, even if we fully accept his argument that NATO has been "aggressive" by expanding into Eastern Europe, what right does Mearsheimer have to criticize them for it? That's a perfectly understandable thing for the West to do within his framework. If the world is international anarchy, and states act out of fear, then shouldn't he approve of the more powerful state / coalition (the West) using its power to secure a larger sphere of influence?
I see other commenters have made similar points. It's somewhat inexplicable to me why Mearsheimer seems unaware of the holes in his position.
I don't want to have a sphere of influence in backward third world countries. It's not in my interest to do so, you get sucked into their garbage problems and there is little upside to show for it.