Mearsheimer, a proponent of offensive
realism, believed that there is no "night watchman" in the realm of
international relations and that the world is categorized by anarchy.
As a consequence of this, one cannot rely
upon another and will seek to become self-sufficient. This is the reason why
states aim to increase their military might, with the US military budget being
$786.6 billion for FY 2016 including $64.4 billion for Overseas Contingency
Funds, realizing the threat from other countries.
The author elaborates that states wish for
themselves to remain dominant as hegemons, and it is for this reason why some
even wish to surpass others' nuclear development. We studied in earlier
sessions how it is not easy to decipher what the "Balance of Power"
means due to the word changing its meaning with context as well as intention.
While Mearsheimer believes that states being "rational actors", will
aim to secure their own benefit, he picks up a similar stance and poses that
there is uncertainty about the intentions that states have which further
supplements an anarchical arena. China's example, which the author himself
uses, furthers this claim by arguing that past behaviour is no benchmark for
future action, and states will pay great heed to the fact that the worst is
possible.
For him, other states do not limit the act
of pursuing greater power, but in fact their nature encourages the attainment
of this goal. While discouraging arming Ukraine, as I read in an article, he
stated that the superpowers react harshly to the projection of military power. Even the Monroe Doctrine harshly discouraged European
Interference and colonization as states do not respond pleasantly to military involvement.
It's interesting that you highlight the U.S. defense budget because it actually represents less than what the U.S. appropriates on defense, because it doesn't include appropriations through the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy (where the nuke budget is), or the Department of Veterans Affairs (veterans health benefits). The U.S. probably spends around $1 trillion on defense, all with an aim to maintain global hegemony.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your attempt to apply his theory to reality, though perhaps a bit more on your take of his theoretical position would have enhanced your overall argument.