What Would Mearsheimer Do? Reviewing Mearsheimer.ai as a Teaching Tool for International Relations
By Mateus Bilhar,
Mearsheimer.ai is a curated chatbot that allows users to interact with an AI avatar of John J. Mearsheimer, translating his offensive realist framework into accessible dialogue. Drawing on contemporary geopolitical cases, the tool can effectively support IR theory learning and spark engagement. However, the article argues that this apparent strength comes with significant risks: the tool reproduces a narrow, albeit expected, Mearsheimer-centric view of world politics and under-represents alternative theoretical traditions and perspectives. Moreover, it may deepen learner dependency through cognitive offloading, discouraging direct engagement with primary texts and critical debate.
The Journal of Political Science Education is an intellectually rigorous, path-breaking, agenda-setting journal that publishes the highest quality scholarship on teaching and pedagogical issues in political science. The journal aims to represent the full range of questions, issues and approaches regarding political science education, including teaching-related issues, methods and techniques, learning/teaching activities and devices, educational assessment in political science, graduate education, and curriculum development.
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