John Mearsheimer

American political scientist (born 1947) This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing it from being verifiable and neutral. Please help improve this article by replacing such sources with more appropriate citations to reliable, independent sources. (January 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) The neutrality of this article is disputed. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please do not remove this message until conditions to do so are met. (January 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) John MearsheimerMearsheimer in 2007BornJohn Joseph Mearsheimer (1947-12-14) December 14, 1947 (age 78)New York City, U.S.EducationEducationUnited States Military Academy (BS)University of Southern California (MA)Cornell University (MA, PhD)Philosophical workSchoolNeorealismInstitutionsUniversity of ChicagoMain interestsInternational relations theory, international security, deterrence theoryNotable works"Why the