Offensive realism suggests that states are
apprehensive about the intentions of other states so they pursue power maximization
strategies to ensure their survival. On the other hand, defensive realism proposes
that the anarchical structure of the international system, the power of hegemonic
states is counterbalanced by other states trying to attain power. Ultimately they
are coerced to refrain from war since it bears negative repercussions for both.
However, Stephen van Evera in “The Cult of the Offensive and the Origins of the
First World War” asserts that the offensive reasons are so strong that leaders choose
to attack in order to secure themselves and gain power. It is also argued that
the country that attacks first inflicts more damage upon the one that it
attacks. This was the dynamics in the World War 1. The immediate trigger for war was the 28th June assassination of Archduke Franz of Austria, heir to the throne, by Yugoslav nationalist Princip in Sarajevo. The Austria government gave ultimatum to the kingdom of Serbia and soon world powers became involved in the matter. The wave spread over the entire world and so the Great War started. However, it jots down to the point that other states got involved due to the offensive theory of realism, that is, to ensure their survival by attacking first.
By going back in time, the offensive and defensive theories can be explained using the Chinese historic events. The first unification of china was done in 221 BCE under the leadership of Qin Shi Huangdi who founded the Qin Dynasty. They were frontier people and loyal to the earlier Zhou dynasty. However, with weak center in place they rebelled and established themselves as the emperors. They feared that other vassals would attack Zhou first, shifting the mandate of heaven, and they would be forced to remain subservient to them. Thus, they attacked first and took power into their hands. The Chinese could have adopted a defensive approach but instead opted for offensive one proving that the latter is more applicable in real world.
By going back in time, the offensive and defensive theories can be explained using the Chinese historic events. The first unification of china was done in 221 BCE under the leadership of Qin Shi Huangdi who founded the Qin Dynasty. They were frontier people and loyal to the earlier Zhou dynasty. However, with weak center in place they rebelled and established themselves as the emperors. They feared that other vassals would attack Zhou first, shifting the mandate of heaven, and they would be forced to remain subservient to them. Thus, they attacked first and took power into their hands. The Chinese could have adopted a defensive approach but instead opted for offensive one proving that the latter is more applicable in real world.
So you buy offensive realism moreso than defensive realism, eh? Well I like that you were able to dig into deep history to bring up an example from Ancient China's past to support the offensive realist position. That being said, one example - or even several like Mearsheimer uses - does not mean the theory is true. Perhaps its best to just use it for descriptive purposes, rather than for prescriptive purposes.
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