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The Great Delusion

Liberal Dreams and International Realities

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The Great Delusion

By: John J. Mearsheimer
Narrated by: Noah Michael Levine
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About this listen

A major theoretical statement by a distinguished political scholar explains why a policy of liberal hegemony is doomed to fail

In this major statement, the renowned international-relations scholar John Mearsheimer argues that liberal hegemony, the foreign policy pursued by the United States since the Cold War ended, is doomed to fail. It makes far more sense, he maintains, for Washington to adopt a more restrained foreign policy based on a sound understanding of how nationalism and realism constrain great powers abroad.

It is widely believed in the West that the United States should spread liberal democracy across the world, foster an open international economy, and build institutions. This policy of remaking the world in America’s image is supposed to protect human rights, promote peace, and make the world safe for democracy. But this is not what has happened. Instead, the United States has ended up as a highly militarized state fighting wars that undermine peace, harm human rights, and threaten liberal values at home. Mearsheimer tells us why this has happened.

©2018 John J. Mearsheimer (P)2018 Audible, Inc. Political Science Politics & Government United States War Thought-Provoking Military Imperialism Self-Determination Refugee American Foreign Policy Cold War Great Depression History

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All stars
Most relevant  
fantastic realistic view of world politics, understanding of why we are where we are! insightful

Great!

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Amazing book, its contents explains a lot about the political chaos the work in living in.

The author put a lot of effort and his heart to write this book which explains the American policy and its hypocrisy.

This book also helped me a “devillainize” Putin. He is worried about the survival of his country as Bush was with his unprovoked invasion of Iraqi.

I truly recommend this audiobook

Be aware that is a dense listening and you may need to find your listening pace I used -0.8x, because there is a lot of new terms to digest.

Marvellous and contemporáneo content

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The basic premise of Mearsheimer's book is that Liberal Hegemony, the dominant foreign policy strain of the US since 1991 is not only ineffective, but harmful for both the supposedly liberated people and the US public.
Mearsheimer's argument is essentially two pronged, that Liberal Hegemony is social engineering writ large and that Liberalism is always overwhelmed by realism and nationalism.
Mearsheimer's book resonates with this reader as I cannot help but recall my undergraduate professor of political theory proclaiming that Nationalism is the most powerful of all ideologies. This book simply vindicates such a view, as Mearsheimer's provides ample illustration how nationalism trumps liberalism every time.
Mearsheimer, while providing a decent theoretical explanation, concludes the book with an appeal for the US to return to a more restrained realism based foreign policy and to jettison Liberal Hegemony altogether. Mearsheimer contends that this will be necessary if the rise of China ensures a more multi polar world, but a slowing down of China could essentially result in the US being disincentivized from jettisoning Liberal Hegemony. The main obstacle to this is the foreign policy establishment, who successfully modified any restraint Obama intended to introduce into US Foreign Policy, and so far, seem to have persuaded Trump to adapt to some aspects of Liberal Hegemony, despite his stated opposition to it.
Mearsheimer's argument is solid, well supported and has convinced me at least, and is an outstanding piece of international relations literature.

Solid and convincing argument

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The authors explains clearly what liberalism is and is not, both as internal doctrine and as external policy. I definitely learned a lot and saw some things in new way. I wish the book was much less repetitive

Very good overall though repetitive

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A very convincing case for realism as a policy for international affairs. Well narrated.

Great book

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This book focuses on the reasons why liberal hegemony, the process of trying to make the whole world liberal, is bound to fail, and to even threaten liberalism at home. Mearsheimer is a genius!

An enlightening book!

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A prescient book, especially given current events. It's just a pity it was not read by the author.

Prescient

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A no-holds analysis of global reality. If you want to understand the world we live in, rather than the world liberal elites want you to believe you live in, this is a must read.

A great expose of the liberal delusion

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Compelling no nonsense arguments succinctly expressed and explained. The kind of sentiments that have occurred to millions over the decades but have been subsequently dismissed by them because it seemed their elected politicians must have known better. My only doubt is that because "Realism" hasn't been given much of a chance by liberal democracies, then we don't really know what's its unintended consequences will be.
Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to all young people who have the slightest interest in their futures and current affairs. If nothing else it should fortify them against the feeble minded falsehoods and fantasies fed to them by woolly headed liberals who still think that human nature can be changed.
I've listened to a lot of Mearsheimer on you tube and always find myself nodding in understanding and if sometimes sceptical, agreement. I would love to hear him debate with the "Goodfellows", but suspect they may be afraid of him.
Mick the Hick.

Compelling, no nonsense arguments.

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An excellent read for anyone who would like to get a clear and balanced view on the workings of international politics.

Clear and believable explanation of the reality of international politics.

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