Jus ad bellum Flashcards
List the 7 jus ad bellum criteria
- Just cause
- Just authority
- Just intention
- Proportionality
- Last resort
- Likelihood of success
- Comparative justice
What does just cause mean?
War should be waged for the right reason
What does just authority mean?
War must be declared by the right authority
What does just intention mean?
War should be waged with the right attitude
What does proportionality mean?
War, as a response to injustice, should be proportionate to the original injustice
What does last resort mean?
War should only be waged after solutions to the crisis have failed
What does likelihood of success mean?
There has to be a reasonable chance that the intended outcomes will be achieved
What does comparative justice mean?
Both sides of the conflict must be fairly considered
How did Augustine define a just cause?
One that avenges wrongs, punishes a nation or state that won’t stop mistreating its subjects, or restoring something that has been seized unjustly
How did Aquinas define a just cause?
One that is in response to some fault on the behalf of those who will be attacked
List the issues with the idea of just cause
- The notion is open and inclusive and people can have different opinions of what justifies war (Vardy)
- It could lead to the sometimes incorrect assumption that the defender is always right and the aggressor is always wrong
- It isn’t clear whether it is okay to intervene on behalf of another
- Wars are too complex to be assessed in this war because there are complex, overlapping causes (McMahon)
What two modern developments have led Shue to think that the idea of a just cause is outdated?
- Humanitarian military intervention - It is sometimes write to intervene to protect someone who is unable to protect themselves
- Preventative wars - To protect yourself from an anticipated attack
Give an example of a preventative war
When the UK and US attacked Iraq over fears about WMDs
Give an example of a war with a just cause
A war waged because numerous civilians have been attacked or killed in that country
Why does Aquinas argue wars should be just authority instead of inidividuals?
Because individuals can go to court if they have been wronged
What does Aquinas say about the powers of the government to declare war?
Just as they can take action against internal disturbances so too can they do this against external disturbances
Give an example of a war declared by a just authority
A war declared by the government
What is the problem with the idea of just authority?
People have different ideas of what constitutes a just authority. Many in the West consider it to be the UN while in the Islamic concept of Jihad this is considered to be religious leaders
How does Aquinas define just intention?
The advancement of good or the avoidance of evil
How does Augustine define the wrong intention?
Inflicting harm, revenge, revolt, lust for power and things like this
What is the difference between just cause and just intention?
A state could wage a war for just cause but if they are doing it with the intention of seeking revenge rather than bettering the situation it would be wrong
Give an example of a war waged with a just intention
A war waged with the desire of bringing about justice or peace
Why does Vardy take issue with the idea of just intention?
Points towards when Italy invaded Ethiopia for the purposes of converting them to Christianity. This is seen as wrong today, thus proving that the idea of a just intention is culturally relative
Give an example of a war that is proportional
Invading another country in response to repeated bombing
Why is proportionality seen as important?
Because it attempts to stop unnecessary violence
Give an exception to the idea of proportionality
The US using disproportionate force against Japan was arguably the reason for the end of WWII
Why is war the least desirable solution to a conflict?
Because of the pain and suffering involved
Give an example of war being a last resort
War taking place after negotiations and sanctions have failed
How does CAJ Coady criticise the idea of a last resort?
- You can never exhaust every option because some will be too absurd
- Sometimes exhausting all options could delay necessary intervention
- Talks have multiple stages so deciding when they have broken down is subjective
Give an example of a war following likelihood of success
Waging a war against a country that has a smaller or less able army
Why is likelihood of success important?
Because a war that will not achieve its intended outcomes is pointless and will result in unnecessary suffering and damage
List the 4 main flaws with the idea of likelihood of success
- This could lead to the build up of forces in preparation, making wars more damaging when they do occur (Vardy)
- Wars are complex so it is difficult to predict the outcome
- Smaller or weaker countries would never get to wage a war no matter how justifiable
- There could be desperate circumstances where one must act against the odds (Coady)
Why is comparative justice important?
Because if both sides try to see the war from the others’ point of view, it might make one side see that the war is unjust
Give an example of a war that follows comparative justice
Understanding the view of the opposition and still feeling justifies in going to war
What are Vardy’s two main issues with the idea of comparative justice?
- Both sides always have some form of justification and this would make all wars just
- Countries are often unable to see the point of view of the opposition and this is why wars occur in the first place
