Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Graham Allison

Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap? by Graham Allison is a thought-provoking analysis of the growing rivalry between the United States and China, exploring whether their competition will inevitably lead to conflict. Drawing on history and contemporary geopolitics, Allison examines the risks of great power competition and the possibilities for avoiding war. Synopsis Allison introduces the concept of the “Thucydides Trap”, derived from the ancient historian Thucydides’ account of the Peloponnesian War, which argued that when a rising power threatens to displace an established one, war often follows. The book studies sixteen historical cases of rising powers challenging ruling ones, showing that in most cases, the outcome was violent conflict. Applying this framework to U.S.–China relations, Allison warns that without careful diplomacy, mutual restraint, and creative statecraft, the world’s two largest powers may be headed toward a catastrophic confrontation. Key Features & Themes

• Thucydides’s Trap: Historical analysis of power transitions and the risks of war.
• Historical Case Studies: Sixteen examples, from ancient Greece to modern superpowers.
• U.S.–China Rivalry: Economic, military, and ideological dimensions of their competition.
• Global Stakes: The implications of a U.S.–China conflict for the 21st-century world order.
• Paths to Peace: Policy recommendations to prevent escalation and promote coexistence.

Why Read It?

• Offers a clear and urgent framework for understanding the U.S.–China relationship.
• Combines historical depth with contemporary analysis.
• Essential for students of international relations, geopolitics, and security studies.
• Helps readers grasp both the dangers and opportunities in managing great power rivalry.

Destined for War is a timely and insightful book that challenges policymakers and citizens alike to consider how the United States and China can navigate their competition without plunging the world into devastating conflict.