John Mearsheimer: Is China the Real Winner of Ukraine War? | Endgame #136 (Luminaries)

Gita Wirjawan・2 minutes read

The ongoing war in Ukraine is likely to lead to a cold peace between Ukraine and Russia, with China emerging as a beneficial winner. Professor John Mearsheimer shares his journey into political science and emphasizes realism in international relations, challenging Western views on democracies and authoritarian states.

Insights

  • The ongoing war in Ukraine is predicted to result in a prolonged conflict, leading to a cold peace between Ukraine and Russia, while China emerges as a beneficiary from the situation.
  • Realism in political science, as discussed by Professor John Mearsheimer, underscores the significance of states' power balance, challenges the Western view of democracies versus authoritarian states, and highlights the US's shift from liberal hegemony to a realist approach in its foreign policy towards China.

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Recent questions

  • What is the recipe for classic spaghetti carbonara?

    The classic spaghetti carbonara recipe includes spaghetti, eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale, and black pepper. Boil the spaghetti until al dente, cook the guanciale until crispy, whisk eggs with cheese and pepper, toss the cooked spaghetti with guanciale and egg mixture, and serve immediately.

  • How long is the war in Ukraine expected to continue?

    The war in Ukraine is likely to continue for a long time, leading to a cold peace between Ukraine and Russia. China emerges as a winner in the ongoing conflict, benefiting from the situation. The global scenario resembles a return to a Cold War era, with a Chinese-led order and an American-led order.

  • Who is hosting a special series of conversations involving personalities from various campuses?

    Gita Wirjawan is hosting a special series of conversations involving personalities from various campuses, including Stanford University. The aim is to share thought-provoking ideas, with Professor John Mearsheimer, a Political Science Professor at the University of Chicago, being one of the guests.

  • What does realism in political science emphasize?

    Realism in political science emphasizes states' concern for the balance of power, especially among great powers. It treats all states as black boxes, focusing on their pursuit of power regardless of political order. The theory challenges the Western view of democracies as good and authoritarian states as bad.

  • What shift in policy towards China did the US adopt post-2017?

    Post-2017, the US adopted a containment policy against China under Trump, which continued under Biden with a mix of realpolitik and liberal rhetoric. The US's actions in Ukraine and towards China have led to a situation resembling the Cold War with two emerging regional orders, reflecting a shift in policy towards a more realist approach due to China's growing power.

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Summary

00:00

Classic Spaghetti Carbonara Recipe

  • Recipe for classic spaghetti carbonara
  • Ingredients: spaghetti, eggs, pecorino cheese, guanciale, black pepper
  • Boil spaghetti until al dente
  • Cook guanciale until crispy
  • Whisk eggs with cheese and pepper
  • Toss cooked spaghetti with guanciale and egg mixture
  • Serve immediately

00:00

Global Shift: Cold War Redux with China

  • The war in Ukraine is likely to continue for a long time, leading to a cold peace between Ukraine and Russia.
  • China emerges as the winner in the ongoing war, benefiting from the situation.
  • The global scenario resembles a return to a Cold War era, with a Chinese-led order and an American-led order.
  • A special series of conversations involving personalities from various campuses, including Stanford University, aims to share thought-provoking ideas.
  • Gita Wirjawan, hosting the series, welcomes Professor John Mearsheimer, a Political Science Professor at the University of Chicago.
  • John Mearsheimer shares his journey into political science, starting from a lack of interest in academics to a passion for international relations.
  • Mearsheimer's interest in international politics led him to pursue a PhD in political science with a focus on international relations.
  • He expresses gratitude for the support he received throughout his academic and professional journey.
  • Mearsheimer, along with his friend Stephen Walt, considers themselves fortunate to have successful careers in academia.
  • At 75 years old, Mearsheimer remains passionate about his work and aims to continue writing for as long as possible.
  • Realism in political science emphasizes states' concern for the balance of power, especially among great powers.
  • Weak states risk exploitation by stronger powers, as seen in China's "Century of National Humiliation."
  • Realism treats all states as black boxes, focusing on their pursuit of power regardless of political order.
  • The theory of realism challenges the Western view of democracies as good and authoritarian states as bad.
  • The United States' pursuit of liberal hegemony during the unipolar moment led to a disregard for realist principles.
  • The US engaged China with the hope it would become a liberal democracy, leading to a shift in policy post-2017.
  • The US adopted a containment policy against China under Trump, continuing under Biden with a mix of realpolitik and liberal rhetoric.
  • China's growing power led to US concerns, prompting a shift in policy towards a more realist approach.
  • The US's liberal foreign policy during the unipolar moment contrasted with its current realpolitik behavior towards China.
  • The US's actions in Ukraine and towards China have led to a situation resembling the Cold War with two emerging regional orders.
  • The US's strategic core interests lie in the Western Hemisphere, Northeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East/Gulf regions.
  • The Western Hemisphere remains the most crucial region for the US due to its regional hegemony.
  • East Asia and Europe will continue to be of significant strategic importance for the US, with the Persian Gulf's relevance tied to oil flow.
  • The US's focus on Europe during the unipolar moment shifted to East Asia due to the rise of China as a major competitor.
  • Southeast Asia's importance to the US has increased due to China's growing influence in the region.
  • The US's strategic interests in Asia have shifted from Northeast Asia to encompass Southeast Asia due to China's rise.
  • The US's focus on Europe has shifted to East Asia, with Southeast Asia gaining importance in the strategic calculus.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
  • The US's strategic interests in Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East/Gulf regions remain crucial due to geopolitical dynamics.
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