Just War Theory Flashcards
Who is the founder of Just War tradition?
Michael Walzer
Which is the first standard conceptual component of Just War Theory?
Jus ad bellum = the “right to go to war”
What are the critical aspects of Jus ad bellum?
a) Just case: is the violance justified by some reason? Usually only self-defence is considered as a just war cause. To attack is unjust, to defend is just. ar
b) Right authority.
c) Right intentions
d) Last reseort
e) Chance of Success
How can a pre-emptive attack on an aggressor be justified?
If there is an aggressor preparing for an attack, and that this attack will be overwhelming when its launched.
What is Walzer’s stand on dirty hands problem?
There could be a “supreme emergency” in launching an attack (in self-defence, but extreme or perhaps pre-emptive or preventive).
What does right authority refer to?
Power is to come together in concert, a political community. This community can be seen as legitimate from the inside and the outside (the authority issue): who is in charge for the order within the political community? Some governmental organisation is seen as legitimate. A representive level of authority. This means that no individuals and minor, loose groups can be seen as right authority.
What does right intentions, or motives refor to in jus ad bellum?
According to Walzer, the right intention is survival, and on the contrary, pride and glory are not right intentions. Walzer argues that we can say that no actor has entirerly pure motives. In particular if the war is not clearly self-defence but pre-emptive it can be difficult to assure that other intentions might be involved.
How can war be justified through last resort?
Violance can be the option when all other possible alternatives ahve been exhausted. This criteria has the point in slowing down the process. War is risky buisness, and therefore it should not be considered the natural first choice.
What is the second consideration of Just War?
Jus in bello = the right conduct in war. This refers to a focus on actions in war, in terms of proportion and targets.
How does proportionality concern both ad bellum and in bello?
The ad bellum is the costs in proportion to the benefits. One problem is the asymmetry; if one power is too overwelming, the other could turn to extreme-counter measures.
The in bello aspect is that counter-attacks on an agressor shouldnt be excessive.
What does Jus in bello adress discrimination?
Discrimination is the doctrine that only military targets are justified as targets. The extension of this principle is a matter of debate, bur surrendering soilders and prisioners of war are not justifed targets.
This suggests that only combatants in combat are justified targets, which also establish the rule that combatants must be possible to distingush from non-combatants. Thus, soilders in uniforms with clear national characteristics and exposed weapons are expected as well as a unified command structure.
Which is the recently invented concept, relating to the end of war?
Jus post bellum, which refers to “justice after war”.
It concerns the two (or more) parts and their future relations - the peace process post-war. The core focus is to stabilize the peace process and restore order. It can involve short- or long-term negotiations, and various representatives from the international community.
