Glenn Diesen - Greater Eurasia Podcast Jeffrey Sachs & John Mearsheimer: Spheres of Security to Prevent World War III
Oct 17, 2025
Jeffrey D. Sachs, an economist specializing in sustainable development, and John J. Mearsheimer, a renowned political science professor and realist theorist, engage in a riveting debate about 'spheres of security.' Sachs advocates for managed security to mitigate nuclear risks, while Mearsheimer critiques this concept, highlighting the complexities of security dilemmas and enforcement. They discuss historical parallels, the implications for Ukraine, and the unpredictable dynamics of great power competition, all emphasizing the intricate balance between national sovereignty and security needs.
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Mutual Military Restraint Reduces Nuclear Risk
- Jeffrey Sachs argues great powers should mutually avoid military presence in each other's strategic neighborhoods to reduce risk of escalation.
- He calls this a "sphere of security," distinct from a sphere of influence, allowing trade but banning bases and missiles.
Good Neighbor Policy Versus Imperial Corollary
- Sachs contrasts Teddy Roosevelt's interventionist Monroe corollary with Franklin Roosevelt's "good neighbor" policy that renounced intervention.
- He uses this historical contrast to argue great powers can and have practiced restraint.
Security Competition Is Inevitable
- John Mearsheimer frames Sachs' idea as replacing spheres of influence with "spheres of security" but warns realism still governs interstate behavior.
- He stresses security competition is inevitable and must not become hot war between great powers.
