Modern Warfare Flashcards
When can a war be declared?
Can be declared when state or states act to:
Attack or invade another state to gain territory or resources
Resist an attack or invasion by an aggressor
Protect another state from attack by an aggressor
Impose domination or political change on another state, or resist such domination
Challenge a threat to essential national interests by another state
Counter perceived threats from a different ideology, religion or ethnic group
Defend the national honour when under threat
PARCDIC
Who developed Just War Theory?
St. Thomas Aquinas
What are the conditions for a Just War?
Aquinas’s conditions for a just war – jus ad bellum (‘right to war’)
War must have just cause - eg against invasion or for self-defence - not to acquire wealth or power
War declared & controlled by proper authority, eg the state or ruler
War fought to promote good or avoid evil - aim of restoring peace & justice after war is over
Later conditions developed by other Christians - jus in bello (‘the law in waging war’)
War last resort when all peaceful solutions tried & failed, eg negotiation
War fought with proportionality - should be just enough force to achieve victory over legitimate targets, ie civilians should be protected.
Good achieved by war must be greater than evil which led to war
What does the Bible teach about war?
“Love your neighbour as you love yourself” - Matthew 22:39 - Righteous anger sometimes justified - when Jesus was angry about presence of money lenders in temple
“Made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” - John 2:15 - Righteous anger about using one’s anger in way that’s thoughtful & controlled to bring about justice or to protect weak
What types of weapons are used in modern warfare?
Chemical weapons - Canister containing poisonous substance. When canister detonated, poison contaminates large area, causing severe reactions to any living thing. Chemical weapons inhumane - can take up to half an hour to die agonising death. Very indiscriminate, they can be blown anywhere by wind.
Biological weapons – Also WMDs, similar to chemical weapons. However, agent released is harmful germ/virus - death caused through infectious disease. Like chemical weapons, can’t choose who to kill. This goes against the rules of war, where only military targets can be justified. Biological weapons also pollute land for many years.
Smart missiles – Have computer guidance system in missile, and (in theory) remotely controlled to specific target, such as army base. In practice, they aren’t completely accurate & widespread civilian deaths still occur - also extremely expensive & cost money that could be put to better use. Some people concerned war shouldn’t be turned into glorified computer game, making it easier for conflicts to start & continue
Arguments FOR nuclear weapons
Possession of nuclear weapons has kept major world powers from coming to war since 1955
Due to fear of what might happen - term that describes this is ‘mutually assured destruction’
Preferable for major powers to have these bombs for deterrence than for an unstable dictator to use them in war
Arguments AGAINST nuclear weapons
Destructive power is immense & long lasting
Even countries that have nothing to do with the war will be badly affected. Some people estimate small nuclear war could wipe out human life on Earth
Very costly to develop & maintain - money could be spent on raising everybody’s quality of life
No effective protection against them, nor can people control who has access to them
What is the human and economic cost of war?
Death & destruction – number of people killed & injured, destruction of towns, villages and countryside - war can leave country totally devastated
Displaced people – War forces thousands to leave their homes & often countries as well. Turns them into refugees, this is a lasting effect of war
Economic cost – War destroys homes, crops, power supplies, industry, schools & hospitals. These vital services have to be replaced once war is over. Uses up vast amounts of money & resources poor countries cannot afford
The environment – Weapons used in war can lead to pollution of air, water & soil. Particularly when chemical, biological or nuclear weapons are employed. Sometimes there is the deliberate destruction of natural resource, like burning of oil wells. Can have disastrous effect on environment
Psychological effects – Soldiers who have witnessed terrible atrocities (or committed them) may suffer trauma as result. Civilians whose daily lives have been shattered can suffer in a similar way
Tourism – War can have huge economic impact on some countries when tourism is affected. Egypt & many Middle Eastern countries no longer popular tourist destinations due to war and conflict
What does the Bible teach about conflict?
“Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses … the time for war and the time for peace” - Ecclesiastes 3: 1,3 & 8 - Idea in Bible is peace with God will lead to peace with other humans. Peace means more than not being at war. At heart of Christian message is belief that life & death of Jesus gives people peace with God & peace within themselves
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” - Matthew 5:9 - These are people who try to continue work Jesus died to secure. Peace in society doesn’t happen by accident, it needs to be worked for. Peace is only possible in a humane & just society where all humans feel valued.
“Put your sword back in its place … for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Matthew26:52
However, some Christians are pacifists and believe that war is never justified
What do the churches preach about war?
“We utterly deny all outward Wars and strife, and fighting without word weapons, for any end, or under any pretence whatever, this is our testimony to the whole world.” - Quaker
“The christian pacifist does not necessarily condemn the use of every kind of force but refuses to employ force unnecessarily or to destroy others, for example either in personal or state violence.”
Methodist Church
“Nuclear weapons should be banned” - Catholic Church
How do christians help victims of war?
CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is example of Christian charity that helps people in countries affected by war & natural disasters
Some of the things that CAFOD does to help victims of war include:
Rehabilitate children who fought as soldiers by offering them education, counselling & support
Attempting to bring together warring groups to find alternative ways of dealing with conflict
Providing refugees fleeing conflict with emergency aid such as food, shelter & cooking equipment
What is a holy war?
War ‘on behalf of God’ - developed at time when Christian Church was becoming increasingly politically powerful
Crusades, which were ordered by various Popes and took place between 11th & 13th centuries, most famous examples of holy war
Intention was to recover Jerusalem from Muslims - Crusades resulted in many atrocities being carried out in name of God.
The concept of holy war is rejected by all mainstream Christian Churches today
What the Bible teach about pacifism?
“Seek peace and pursue it” - Psalm 34:14 - God has desire for us to seek peace - we must make effort to find peace rather than conflict
“Love your enemies and pray for those who prosecute you” - Matthew 5:44 - christians called to show love to those who persecute rather than carry out violence
“Do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” - Matthew 5:39 
What is the role of the UN?
The United Nations set up in 1945 after WW2
Currently consists of 193 member states, including the UK
Designed to stop wars between countries & provide meeting place where countries could discuss their problems & hopefully come to an agreement.
Aim to reduce chance of wars happening & help resolve issues before declaration of war is felt necessary
What are the types of pacifism?
Absolute - War is never right, value of human life never justifies killing person deliberately, even in self defence
Conditional - Against war & violence in principle, but accept there may be circumstances when war may lead to less suffering
Selective - Oppose wars involving weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, chemical or biological weapons) because of their uniquely devastating consequences to not only humans, but to all living things
