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| A '''just war''' is a ] which is permissible according to a set of moral or legal rules. The rules applied may be ], ], or formal (such as ]). The rules |
A '''just war''' is a ] which is permissible according to a set of moral or legal rules. The rules applied may be ], ], or formal (such as ]). The rules classically cover the justification for the war (]) and the conduct of the participants in the war (]). | ||
| Just war theory has ancient roots. ] discussed this idea and its applications. ] and ] later codified a set of rules for a just war, which today still encompass the points commonly debated, with some modifications. Few warriors nowadays are troubled by the idea of ] or by fighting on ] in particular. | Just war theory has ancient roots. ] discussed this idea and its applications. ] and ] later codified a set of rules for a just war, which today still encompass the points commonly debated, with some modifications. Few warriors nowadays are troubled by the idea of ] or by fighting on ] in particular. | ||
Revision as of 18:19, 30 August 2003
A just war is a war which is permissible according to a set of moral or legal rules. The rules applied may be ethical, religious, or formal (such as international law). The rules classically cover the justification for the war (Jus Ad Bellem) and the conduct of the participants in the war (Jus In Bello).
Just war theory has ancient roots. Cicero discussed this idea and its applications. St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas later codified a set of rules for a just war, which today still encompass the points commonly debated, with some modifications. Few warriors nowadays are troubled by the idea of ambush or by fighting on holy days in particular.
A recent application of just war theory is the Land Letter delivered to President Bush by Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention in October 2002 which outlined the justification of a pre-emptive attack on Iraq.
In modern language, these rules hold that to be just, a war must meet the following criteria before the use of force:
- War can only be waged for a just cause. Self-defense against an armed attack is one example that is considered just cause.
- War can only be waged under legitimate authority. The sovereign power of the state is usually considered to be legitimate authority.
- War can only be waged with the right intention. Correcting a suffered wrong is considered a right intention, while material gain is not.
- War can only be waged with a reasonable chance of success. It is considered unjust to meaninglessly waste human life and economic resources if defeat is unavoidable.
- War can only be waged as a last resort. War is not just until all realistic options which were likely to right the wrong have been pursued.
Once war has begun, just war theory also directs how combatants are to act:
- The force used must be proportional to the wrong endured.
- The acts of war should be directed towards the inflictors of the wrong, and not towards civilians caught in circumstances they did not create.
- Torture, either of combatants or of non-combatants is forbidden.
The doctrine of total war employed by Realpolitik would include permitting scorched earth tactics and torture amongst others.