VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: America Is Not Caught In A ‘Thucydides Trap’!
Victor Davis Hanson argues that the concept of the 'Thucydides Trap' does not accurately apply to the current U.S.-China dynamic. He critiques Graham Allison's theory that the U.S. might provoke conflict with a rising China out of fear of losing its status. Hanson points out historical examples where established powers have successfully maintained their dominance, suggesting that the U.S. is not necessarily in a precarious position.
- ▪Graham Allison's 'Thucydides Trap' suggests established powers may start wars to prevent losing dominance to rising adversaries.
- ▪Hanson argues that historical examples show established powers often win conflicts against emerging challengers.
- ▪The differences between Sparta and Athens were rooted in their contrasting political and social systems, not solely in fear.
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Opinion VICTOR DAVIS HANSON: America Is Not Caught In A ‘Thucydides Trap’! OPINION (Photo by Kenny Holston-Pool/Getty Images) Victor Davis Hanson Contributor May 26, 2026 4:23 PM ET May 26, 2026 4:23 PM ET Victor Davis Hanson Contributor Font Size: const observer = new MutationObserver((mutations) => { const adDivToHide = document.querySelector("#dailycaller_incontent_1"); if (adDivToHide && dc_noads_page) { adDivToHide.classList.add("hide-premium", "hide-free"); observer.disconnect(); console.log("Ad div found and hidden"); } }); observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true }); The distinguished political scientist Graham Allison, author of the 2015 Atlantic article “The Thucydides Trap,” argued that often in history an established power will stage a preventive war…
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