Thucydides Trap.
In his history of the Peloponnesian War (431 - 401 BC), historian and general of Athens, Thucydides kept an accurate record of the war, fought between Sparta and Athens. He is thought to be the father of how historical records are kept – just a cold recording of events, rather than introducing other ideas such as the intervention of the Gods. Thucydides stated that “What made war inevitable was the growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused in Sparta.” This idea that a rising power could inspire an established power to go to war with the rising power, was named the Thucydides Trap, by historian and philosopher Graham Tillett Allison, Jr. (born March 23, 1940). It is now taught across many military academies across the world. This idea has been linked to the rise of China and how it threatens the established power, the US and how the Thucydides Trap will befall both these powers, leading some commentators to say that the US and China are heading for war. Tensions over tr...