Destined for War

In 'Destined for War,' Graham Allison explores the concept of the 'Thucydides Trap,' where the rise of a new power threatens the dominance of an existing one, often leading to war.

Allison draws on 16 historical cases where a rising power challenged a dominant state, with 12 of these cases resulting in war.

He applies this historical lens to the current relationship between the United States and China, highlighting the potential for conflict but also outlining '12 clues to peace' derived from historical analysis to prevent such an outcome.

The book is divided into sections that cover the rise of China, historical lessons from the Peloponnesian War and other conflicts, and strategies for avoiding war based on these historical insights.