Download Just War, Pacifism and Militarism

Just War theory is a doctrine of military ethics broadly studied by moral theologians,
ethicists and international policy makers which holds that a conflict can and ought to
meet the criteria of philosophical, religious or political justice, provided it follows certain
conditions. The doctrine of the just war was first developed using a comprehensive
framework by Augustine in Civitas Dei, The City of God, in reaction to the "barbarian"
invasions of the Western Roman Empire in the fourth century.
Jus ad bellum
1.
(The Right to go to War)
Just cause
The reason for going to war needs to be just and can therefore be recapturing things
taken or punishing people who have done wrong. A contemporary view of just cause
was expressed in 1993 when the US Catholic Conference said: "Force may be used
only to correct a grave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive violation of the basic
human rights of whole populations."
2. Comparative justice
While there may be rights and wrongs on all sides of a conflict, to override the
presumption against the use of force, the injustice suffered by one party must
significantly outweigh that suffered by the other.
3. Legitimate authority
Only duly constituted public authorities may use deadly force or wage war
4. Right intention
Force may be used only in a truly just cause and solely for that purpose—correcting
a suffered wrong is considered a right intention, while material gain or maintaining
economies is not.
5. Probability of success
Arms may not be used in a futile cause or in a case where disproportionate
measures are required to achieve success;
6. Last resort
Force may be used only after all peaceful and viable alternatives have been
seriously tried and exhausted.
Pacifism
Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes or gaining
advantage. Pacifism covers a spectrum of views ranging from the belief that
international disputes can and should be peacefully resolved; to calls for the abolition of
the institutions of the military and war; to opposition to any organization of society
through governmental force; to rejection of the use of physical violence to obtain
political, economic or social goals; to the condemnation of force except in cases where
it is absolutely necessary to advance the cause of peace; to opposition to violence
under any circumstance, including defense of self and others.
Militarism
Militarism is the doctrinal view that society should be governed by the concepts
embodied in military culture and its heritage. Militarists hold the view that discipline is
the highest social priority, and claim that the development and maintenance of the
military ensures national and social order.