War and Peace

• War


  A period of hostile relations between countries, states or factions (groups) that leads to fighting between armed forces, especially in land, air or sea battles
• It has been estimated that since the end of World War II in 1945, the world has only experienced 6 minutes when a War was not taking place
• Since 1945 250 Wars have taken place in the world, with an average of five armed conflicts every year
• In 20th Century Warfare, nine civilians have died to every soldier
• War has also created over 16 million refugees, people with nothing and nowhere to go
• Civil War


  A war between citizens of the same country
• Nuclear War


  A war in which nuclear weapons are used
• Holy War


  A war declared or waged in support of a religious cause
• World War


  A war involving any large nations in all different parts of the world
• Causes of war


  • Impose domination
  • Defend freedom
  • Religion or ideology
  • Self-defense
  • Stop injustice
• Just War Theory


  Asserts that certain conditions must be met before war is declared in order for it to be considered morally acceptable
• Just War Theory


  • It is probably the most influential approach to issues of war and peace, which is constantly being redefined and redeveloped
  • It has been codified into contemporary international laws governing armed conflict such as the UN Charter and the Geneva conventions
• Legitimate authority


  It was right for the Christian to go to war in the interest of the state
• Just cause


  There had to be a justified reason for going to war, i.e. to prevent harm to innocents
• Right intention


  The motive for going to war must be pure, rather than a lust for power. A just war should attempt to end suffering and promote a lasting peace
• Last resort


  War must only be used as a last resort
• Reasonable chance of success


  There must be a reasonable chance of success in the war
• Proportionality


  The damage inflicted and the costs incurred by war must not be disproportionate to the good expected to be achieved
• Jus ad bellum


  Rules addressed to political leaders initiating war
• Jus in bello


  Rules addressed to military leaders and soldiers in war
• Jus post bellum


  Obligations after the conflict, proposing a duty of care to the population to ensure rebuilding and reconciliation
• Rules are addressed to military leaders and soldier-in war
• CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN AMERICA document entitled The Challenge of Peace


  1983
• NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION prompted them to give clear moral guidance on the conditions that must be met for a Just-War
• We are the first generation since Genesis with the power to virtually destroy God's creation
• Jus ad bellum


  Conditions to check BEFORE if it would be ethical to go to war
• Jus in bello


  How to be ethical DURING war
• In recent years there has been a move towards adding a third set of conditions called Jus post Bellum
• Jus post Bellum


  Outlines past conflict obligations and proposes a duty of care to the population to ensure rebuilding and restructuring after conflict as well as to protect the population's basic rights
• Just War is a mainly Christian theory, which begins with the belief that taking human life is wrong
• Countries do have a duty to protect and defend their citizens (in extreme cases this means being able to use force)
• St. Thomas Aquinas


  Developed the Just War Theory and suggested there were conditions or criteria that had to be met before a war could be declared 'just'
• Many people believe it is right to go to war if it is just
• St. Augustine


  Built on ideas that a war is only a Just War if it is both justified, and carried out in the right way
• Elements of Just War Theory


  • Jus ad bellum (To check BEFORE if it would be ethical to go to war)
  • Jus in bello (How to be ethical DURING war)
• The aim of Just War Theory is to provide a guide to the right way for states to act in potential conflict situations
• Just War Theory is not intended to justify wars but to prevent them, by showing that going to war except in certain limited circumstances is wrong, and thus motivate states to find other ways of resolving conflicts
• Jus ad bellum (7 principles)

  • Proper Authority
  • Just Cause
  • Establish Good
  • Reasonable Chance of Success
  • Last Resort
  • Sufficient Force (Proportionality)
  • Civilians Should Not Be Involved (War Must Discriminate)
• A just war should be controlled by LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY (e.g. government or UN)
• Just Cause


  The war must have a moral reason like defending a nation under attack or a war against terror