Just War TheoryUnit #7: The Cold War

Essential Question: Was the Cold War a just war?

Greek philosopher Aristotle is one of the earliest who discussed war and a nation’s reasons for going to war.

Origins

In all three of the major Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), justifiable reasons for going to war are discussed in their sacred texts.

Origins

An early Christian theologian, Augustine of Hippo (354-430 B.C.E.), needed to reconcile two conflicting propositions:

• Christian thought has always believed that the taking of life is wrong

• Nations have a duty to defend their citizens and promote justice

Augustine developed the beginnings of the “just war theory.”

Origins

St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 1274 A.C.E.), a Catholic priest synthesized Augustine’s arguments regarding justifiable warfare into 6 clear principles. In order for a nation to justifiably go to war with another, all 6 of these principles must be met:

1. Just cause/right intention2. Proper authority3. Last resort4. Probability of success5. Beneficial outcome6. Proportionality

Origins

jus ad bellum (justice to war)

principle #1: Just cause/right intention

A just war must be fought only for the purposes of self-defense against armed attack or to right a serious wrong.

jus ad bellum (justice to war)

principle #2: Proper authority

A war is just only if waged by a legitimate authority.

jus ad bellum (justice to war)

principle #3: Last resort

A just war must be the last resort; all peaceful options must be exhausted before the use of force can be considered justifiable.

jus ad bellum (justice to war)

principle #4: Probability of success

There must be a reasonable chance of success; deaths and injury that result from a hopeless cause cannot be morally justified.

jus ad bellum (justice to war)

principle #5: Beneficial outcome

The outcome of the war must be better than the situation that would exist had the war not taken place.

jus ad bellum (justice to war)

principle #6: Proportionality

The anticipated violence and destruction must be proportional to the injury suffered.

jus in bello (justice in war)Another area that must be considered is the conduct of the war. How the war is fought can also determine if the war is a just war or not.

jus in bello (justice in war)Who can be targeted in war?

Just War Theory considers it unjust if non-combatants or innocents (civilians) are attacked indiscriminately.

jus in bello (justice in war)The killing of civilians in war is justified, according to this theory, so long as their deaths are not intended or are accidental.

For example, targeting military establishments in the middle of a city is permissible. Civilian casualties are a foreseeable but accidental effect.