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Mark Fisher, Georgetown University

Named after the ancient Greek general and writer, an idea known as the “Thucydides Trap” has gained prominence in contemporary discussions of American foreign policy. While raising questions about the inevitability of war between established and rising powers, this particular framing of ancient thought also identifies issues in how historical authors are used by politicians and policymakers. How can we more constructively consider historical thinkers when addressing modern problems?

Mark Fisher is an assistant professor of government at Georgetown University. His research focuses primarily on ancient Greek political thought, but he teaches more widely in the history of political thought and historical methodology. He is currently writing a book about Thucydides' understanding of Athenian democracy and its relationship to epic notions of heroism.