Just War

When is war the answer?

Questions to Ponder•When should a country go to war? Describe three instances. •Which of the above instances are YOU willing to fight for? Die for? Justify your answer.

Just War Theory•A moral defense for war.•Developed by Christians in the 5th century to balance the beliefs of Christianity with the need to go to war.

Saint Augustine (354-430)

Jus ad bellum(what justifies going to war)

Principles Include:•Just Cause•Legitimate Authority•Right Intention•Probability of Success•Proportionality•Last Resort

Just CauseWar is permissible onlyto confront a real andcertain danger.

Example:Country A is invaded by Country B, Country A mustgo to war.

Non Example:Country B invades CountryA because Country A’s leadermight attack them sometimein the future.

German Troops invade Poland 1939

Legitimate AuthorityWar must be declared bythose with responsibilityfor public order.

Example:The President of Country ADeclares war on Country B.

Non Example:The newspapers in Country Adeclare war on Country B.After the fighting has started,the President declares war.

British Prime Minister Chamberlain declareswar on Germany.

Right IntentionMotives for respondingto the cause must be just, they must be in linewith the Just Cause.

Example:Country C enters the warbecause Country B is a friendand the invasion by Country Ais a violation of international law.

Non Example:Country C enters the warbecause Country B offers money.

“Our Conscience is Clear”

Last ResortAll peaceful alternativesmust have been exhausted.

Example:Country A attempted to settledifferences with Country B, but Country B refused tonegotiate.

Non Example:Country A invaded withoutattempting to work out problems with Country B.

Chamberlain and Hitler meet in 1938

Probability of SuccessMust have reasonablegrounds for believingthat cause can be achieved.

Example:Before Country C decides to getinvolved in the war, it measuresits military power with potentialenemies.

Non Example:Country C brings a knife to agun fight.

British RAF prepares to defend Britain

ProportionalityMust be confident thatresorting to war willdo more good than harm.

Example: Country C enters the war, helpsCountry A and is able to restorepeace to the world.

Non Example:Country B wins the war, but suffers so many costs and human loses, that it takes 50 years to recover.

FDR Declares War

Just War Scenarios•You will now be broken into groups to analyze past and potential conflicts.

•You must study the conflict, then determine if the war can be justified by the criteria outlined in the Just War Theory.

Jus in bello(how combatants must act)

•Non-Combatant Immunity•No Atrocious Weapons•Proportionality•Prisoners of War (POW’S) Treated Humanely•No Reprisals•No Repression of one’s own civilians

Jus post bellum(how war must be terminated)

•Just cause for termination•Public Declaration and Authority•Right Intention•Discrimination•Proportionality