Final Test: Short Answer Flashcards
According to Thomas Aquinas, under what conditions is it lawful to deceive the enemy during a just war?
It is lawful to deceive and lay ambushes in war only if you are not breaking promises nor saying any false things to the enemy. For Christian fighters, this means ambushes can be laid via typical wartime concealment - by not revealing plans to the enemy. (Booklet, Page 83-84)
State any one ground on which it would have been just for the Spanish to wage war against the natives of South America according to Vitoria?
In the protection of the innocent from unjust harm via a tyranny. The Christian religion preaches to defend one’s neighbors. The barbarians are the Spaniards’ neighbors and therefore they are obligated to protect them from harm. (Vitoria, Page 287)
State any one just cause of war according to Alfarabi.
A just war is one that is against those who do not submit to slavery and servitude. It is best for them and most fortunate that their rank in the world be to serve and to be slaves. (Booklet, Page 131)
One of Alfarabi’s just causes of war is “for repulsing an enemy coming upon the city from outside.” (Booklet, Page 131)
According to Ibn Khaldun, what distinguishes jihad in Islam from jihad in all other religions?
Jihad (the universal mission to convert everyone to Islam through persuasion or force) is only a religious duty in Islam, which is why the religious and political power is united in one in Islam. Other religions are not required to gain universal political and religious power, so their jihad is defensive only and their religious leaders are not involved with politics. (Booklet, Page 129)
What is the moral status of international espionage according to Hobbes?
It is a moral duty to practice international espionage because the sovereign has a duty to do whatever they can to secure peace for the citizens. (Hobbes, Page 144-145)
According to Hobbes, what is the natural relationship between two sovereign states that are not engaged in fighting one another?
The natural state is one of hostility. It is like an intermission, where each warily observes the relative military strength of the other in anticipation of the moment when they must strike to maintain security. (Hobbes, Page 144-145)
State the primary principle on which the “right of nations” is founded, according to Montesquieu.
The right of nations is founded on the principle that the various nations should do to one another in times of peace the most good possible, and in times of war the least ill possible, without harming their true interests. (Montesquieu, Page 7)
Why, according to Montesquieu, do “small societies more frequently have the right to wage wars than large ones?”
Small societies more frequently have the right to wage wars than large ones, because they are more frequently in a position to fear being destroyed. (Montesquieu, Page 138)
Kant argues for a federated league of nations, but opposes a single world government: what is one of the major things wrong with a single world government, according to Kant?
Kant opposes a single world government because “the laws progressively lose their impact as the government increases its range” and a large world government will eventually lapse into anarchy
State any one of Kant’s Definitive Articles of Perpetual Peace.
“First Definitive Article of a Perpetual Peace: The Civil Constitution of Every State shall be Republican.” Because a republican constitution is founded upon freedom for all its members, dependence upon one common legislation, and legal equality for all citizens. (Kant PW, Page 99)
“Second Definitive Article of a Perpetual Peace: The Right of Nations shall be based on a Federation of Free States.” (Kant PW, Page 102)
“Third Definitive Article of a Perpetual Peace: Cosmopolitan Right shall be limited to Conditions of Universal Hospitality.” (Kant PW, Page 105”
What three things necessitate imperialism, according to the Athenian thesis in Thucydides?
Book 1, Section 76, on the side summary, “The Athenians argue that Athens acted normally within the common practices of mankind to maintain her empire; fear, honor, and interest motivate her as they would any others in her place. Indeed, she deserves praise for acting with greater justice and moderation than her power would require.” They fear the envy of others and so must expand to protect themselves. They must expand in order to gain prestige and honor among the Greeks. Finally, the empire is necessary for Athens to profit sufficiently to for the greater good of Greece. (Thucydides, Page 43)
What is the Athenian answer to this argument of the Melians: that it is “great vileness and cowardice” for Melos not to fight to maintain her independence from the stronger power Athens?
Athens emphasizes that self-preservation dominates any question of honor. Athens, being much more powerful, will crush Melos and whatever honor they might gain by resistance is outweighed by their interest in maintaining their lives. To superior powers, you submit to them.
