War…What Is It Good For…Absolutely Anything?

The history of “just war” principles focused on two main facets:

1. What are the criteria for determining whether it is right to go to war
2. When you decide to go to war, how should it be conducted

Criteria For Determining That This Is a “Just War”

1. There is a just cause

• • It is necessary to defend against threats to innocent life
  • The community’s future is in danger
  • Basic human rights are at stake

 

2. Competent authority is involved in making this decision

• • Those responsible for public order have declared war
  • Political legitimacy has been satisfied

 

3. The intention is right

• • It is being engaged for self defense
  • It is not to gain control over an otherwise unthreatening adversary

 

4. It is a last resort

• • Non-violent means within reasonable reach have been tried

 

5. There is relative justice in the behavior of the declaring state

• • Though no state may claim a monopoly on moral righteousness, there is a moral basis for declaring war

 

6. The response is proportional to the threat

• • The prospective costs will be balanced by the overall values being defended

 

7. There is reasonable hope for success

• • This is not reckless fighting in defense of a hopeless cause

 

Criteria For Keeping This War Just

1. Discrimination is exercised
   • There is no intentional attack on civilians (non-combatants)
   • There is no purposeful intent to cause immoral effects

 

2. The principle of proportion is maintained

• • Foreseen yet unintended losses are balanced against the values being defended