---
title: "Robert Jervis: Influential Political Scientist"
description: "Robert Jervis was a key political scientist known for his work on perception and the security dilemma, shaping international-relations theory."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/robert-jervis"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Robert Jervis (1940–2021) was an American political scientist whose work on perception, misperception, and the security dilemma shaped defensive realism and international-relations theory.
- What is the security dilemma as theorised by Robert Jervis?
- How does the offense-defense balance ease the security dilemma?
- What is the difference between the spiral and deterrence models?
- Where does Jervis fit among realist theorists?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In his 1976 work, Robert Jervis argued that US and Soviet leaders during the Cold War repeatedly misperceived each other's intentions, treating defensive measures as offensive threats and fuelling the arms race through the security dilemma.

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[Balance Of Power The Security Dilemma](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/exam-ir-balance-of-power-the-security-dilemma)[Deterrence Coercion Escalation](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/exam-ir-deterrence-coercion-escalation)[Realism Classical Neorealism Offensive Defensive](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/exam-ir-realism-classical-neorealism-offensive-defensive)[The Post 1945 To Post 1991 To Contemporary Order](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/exam-ir-the-post-1945-to-post-1991-to-contemporary-order)

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