HSY315: Assessing the Relevance of Just War Theory in Modern War

This essay explores the relevance of Just War Theory in the context of 20th and 21st-century warfare, addressing the question of whether the concept of just war has become redundant. It delves into the history and principles of Just War Theory, including 'Jus ad Bellum,' 'Jus in Bello,' and 'Jus post Bellum,' and analyzes their applicability in modern conflicts characterized by advanced technology, cyber warfare, and evolving ethical considerations. The essay also contrasts Just War with Total War, examining the shift in warfare concepts from the 20th to the 21st century due to ethnic conflicts, economic volatility, and declining empires. It considers arguments for and against the theory, ultimately evaluating whether Just War Theory remains a useful framework for guiding ethical conduct in war or if it has become obsolete in the face of contemporary challenges.

History of war

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
The War Theory..........................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

Topic: Has the idea of just war become redundant?
INTRODUCTION
The history of war considers as one of the interesting topic of research which helps in
evaluating reasons behind a fight, as well as it impacts on people and on a country. For this
purpose, a number of approaches like military history can be used to understand conflict between
two parties. The war takes different character such as preoccupation with conventional war
between two states over the year. War not only gives impact on society, economy, culture and
environment but also different political implications. The main objectives the report is to
determine if the idea of war becomes redundant or unnecessary. For this purpose, concept of just
war theory and its history will be taken, with its applicability in 20th and 21st century warfare.
MAIN BODY
The War Theory
To address ever-growing requirement for a set of belief, concepts or even changes in rules
of activities for fighting a war, the just war tradition has been applied. In 20th and 21st century,
the pace of war has completely changed due to higher technology weapons, cyber warfare, drone
and more. The war theory mainly deals with the justification of the way wars have been fought,
with specified reasons. on the basis of theoretical or historical aspects. Hereby, theoretical
aspects ethically justified the war and analyse if warfare is or is not taken.. On other hand
historical aspects refers “ just war tradition” applies rules and agreement of history to justify the
reason. It supports to examine ethics and philosophic vision (Williamson, 2016). Christian
philosophy proposes just war theory who interprets three statement. i.e. takes human life doesn't
appropriate way in war. All states are obliged to safe their citizen, protects docile human life and
maintain transparency in justice which keep safe moral value of human beings. Just war theory
also refers as tradition of military ethics which is studied by military leaders, policy-maker,
ethicists and theologian. The main goal of the theory is to make ensure that war is virtuously
justifiable on the basis of series of criteria. Such criteria is mainly divided into two sections i.e.
“right to go to war” and another is “right conduct in war”. The first section interprets that the
morality should applicable in the war without concern while other interpret that the moral or

ethics should conduct within war. While third section also includes in war theory that's “just post
bellum”. It interprets that morality of post-war should settlement and reconstruct. Just war theory
express that war is not the worst or terrible option for peoples. Sometimes, it is significant to
justify law even outcome gets desirable or undesirable (Ward and Burns, 2018). On other hand
opponents of just war theory express that war is not justifiable for the war because it leads
separation in human being and destruction of money, culture and economy. Some philosophers
postulate that individuals ned doesn't require fight while opponent soldiers claim that war is the
way to fulfil demands of individual one. Some philosophers state that war is proposed to a
stricter pacifist standard while opponent states that war is occurred for nationalist standard,
means war requires to serve nation's interest in being justifiable. War theory is basically designed
to achieve objective of war so that understand it is important or not for 21st century. The main
reason of the just war theory because in 20th century war was cold war. Between 1945 and 1983,
war converts into bloody war due to military conflict. In these decades,around 20 million people
are killed due to 100 major military conflict (Karoubi, 2017). Beside of this economic crisis also
occurs which reduces humanity in peoples in 21st century. Thus, warfare concept changes from
20th century to 21st century.

Origin of the war
Just war theory is based on that nation which applies ethics and morality within war,
where many philosophers state that all nations don't conduct ethics and morality within war for
prolong period. Some nations apply rules of the war theory within war, which evident that just
war has become obsolete today. Augustine offers base for just war theory in western literature.
On other hand Thomas Aquina organizes Agustine's reflection into existing criteria which shows
the relation of the just war theory and it's applicability in 21st century (Schmelzle, 2019). In
simple term Thomas Aquina rectified the war theory rules and aware significant of just war
theory in 21st century. Philosopher expresses that civil society should raise voice of justification
for the war. There are three traditional categories which includes in just war theory.
Rules of just war theory
As per rule of Jus As Bellum, This perception is necessary for going to war: “The right to
go to war,” It is interpreted by philosopher. “Just authority” It is first situation of the just war
theory which is also known as competent authority. According to the theory it has been

evaluated that just war should start up by political authority in their political system so that
shows existence of justice. While deceptive military action considers as violations of the order.
The main reason of the condition is that. There doesn't have any genuine process of the just war
within system which shows genuine process of justice. That why just war should initiate by
political authority in political system. “Just Cause” it is main debate topic for some discussion
over the justification of the war. Number of nations and leaders who pay war, they claim that to
do all things on the basis of just cause. The main goal of the political authority to identify wrong
which is committed by number of nation for which war is proposed by another opponent (Betts,
ed., 2017). Few leaders contradict nation to keep safe itself from unprovoked attack. “Just
intention” Just war theory fixes limit to increase of the war. Just war limit shows pursuit and
safety of the just cause. “Last resort” Nation considers war which is exploited all powerful
solutions in which includes political and diplomatic. Thus type condition express dispute against
national pride which often leads war as resort choice (Robinson, 2017). While some nations
comprises and encourages for winning the solution of short war. But last resort situation requires
approaches such as political and diplomatic for getting solution properly.
While Jus In Bello states that The situation occurred for the just conduct the war. It
provides specifications of behaviour for the nations, soldiers and individual soldiers in war. Most
of the people things “everything is fair in war and love” but it is not appropriate in any war.
Soldiers who go for war, possess ethical and moral behaviour and maintains the standards
between lawful behaviour and criminal behaviour. Soldier follows rules because they have
policed, imprisonment and courts. Philosopher agrees that soldiers doesn't show legal and moral
discipline when turns into enemy for opponents. Most of the militaries becomes violent in just
war due to international rule of law. Various cases occur in which just war is not considered
prosecute. That's why just war theory is like philosophical idea which can be applied in term of
legal process. Just war theory requires the criteria for justifiable behaviour. Criteria are
“Proportionally” it mentions the force which is applied in war. Various level of force is permitted
for applying in the war (Popenoe, 2017). These forces can be measured against requirement of
force which is used to correct the just origin and restricted by just intention. “Discrimination” A
fighter should have ability to identify between combatant and non-combatant, so that large
number of population such as innocent, non-military people don't make the target of the attack.

The rule states as Just In Post Bello is applied when war is completed, in that state steps
is required to transform nation of war into peace of nation. Jus post bello organizes the theory for
identifying principal over the period. Some principles are advised by the philosophers such as-
“Status quo ante bellum” In simple term “the way things were before the war” Soldiers should
address about rights, property and borders where make them understand that how can break
before going in war. “Punishment for war crime” it is important step for governance because
political leader sometime becomes combatant. In that situation requires justice before attempting
and serious offences. “Compensation of victims” it is another rule of war theory, according to
rule innocent and non-combatant victims are compensated of their losses. In simple term number
of soldiers who survives their life for country, in that state soldiers' families who don't involve in
the war, are compensated by government in the form of money and property.
“Peace treaties” principal should be fair for all parties who involve in war or find guilty
of the war. Just war theory gives guidance to armies before occurring any serious offences by the
political leaders, combatants and soldiers (Mackay, 2018). It is also known as ethical restraint in
war. Thus, three criteria of the just war theory defines various principals which can lead
desirable outcomes for nation. These criteria support to identify combatant and non-combatant. It
gives justification in war and convert war state into peace state.

“Responsibility” a nation doesn't fault for undesirable side effects which is occurred by military
activity. Even there three conditions where country is not responsible such as – the worst effects
doesn't occur intentionally. Another is goods of the war should over-weigh the damage which is
done by military. Third situation is military action which is executed deliberately to obtain the
best consequences (Burne, 2016). Thus, these criteria help to interpret and accomplishes issues
which is become debate topic among philosophers, politician and military planner. On other
hand civil society maintains themselves from unprovable attack, unjust war. That's why just war
theory play significant role to identify justice and law within war.
Ethics of warin this regard, helps to explore the moral limits and chances of conflict. It maintains
principal against the moral strengths and disposition of the circumstances.
Differences between total war and just war
Illustration 1: Just War Theory

Total War refers to a war which is not bounded by any rule and regulation in order to weapon's
use, territory or fighter involvement, in simple term when large population doesn't follow any
rules during fighting, and they keep idea that “everything is fair in love and war”. In this war
both type peoples involves such as military personnel and targets civilian (innocent and non-
military population). The main reason of the total war is to when high number of population
posses high sense of patriotism.
JOn other hand, Just war theory offers guidance to act in right way in potential conflict condition
so that no harm occurs. In this war, innocent and non-combatant population never targets and
provides high defence. The main goal of the just war theory to re-stablish peace in nation.
The first war starts in 21st century where large population of nation wants to war for
demand. In 1913 the world's population was 10% and war started in 1914, it was unbreakable
war because armed conflict didn't take place for short period. The war occurred between
territorial states but people don't want to harm civilian. Military conflict took place in some 40
year, due to conflict peace war converts into cold war. The peace war was in 1919 and transform
into formal and informal conflict of military in 1990. The main reason of war concept change is
ethnic conflict, economic volatility and empires in decline phase into 20th century to 21st century.
Philosopher says that just war theory is good theory who leads peacefulness in war and large
population applies rules of war and saves civilian life.
How the idea become redundant in 21st century
Just war theory is specially designed to give the guidance before, during and after the
war. It gives guidance to each person who involves in the war such as political leaders,
combatant and non-combatant (Levering, 2016). There are two type of philosophers who gives
argument on just war theory. According to a philosopher who postulates that just war theory is
applied for those nations who is financially strong and determine for ethics, but there are lots of
nations which is financially inefficient and doesn't have proper resources for utilizing according
to ethics. Second philosopher express that Just war theory can apply for short time but cant
applies for prolong time. According to philosopher, nation doesn't follow the just war theory
within war because military know how to get enemy and how to treat them.
In 20th century, large number of population unaware about ethics and morals. They just
want to involve in war without following rules because armies thinks that everything is executed
in love and war. They have high sense of patriotism for the nation that's why they target civilian

during war. Due to unethical war large number of population unable to define wrong and right
steps. 20th war leads deficiencies in nation such as economical, political, socio-cultural,
environmental and legal etc. nation become war nation but unable to convert into peace state due
to unethical law in war. Even leaders unable to introduces new strategy which influences
development in civilian. In 20th century population doesn't have too much argument for their
enemies. They are mentally stable and patience. Soldiers have self-control on their emotion's.
Political government also doesn't involve in the war so diplomatic type of leader doesn't play
with their life. In half old century armed conflict takes place and they becomes violent.
In 21st century, just war theory requires because Thomas Aquina states that Just war
theory is good for nation because it gives guidance to army, military and civilian how to use
principals during fighting in war. It maintains standard of armies in front of enemies. It helps
government to measure time extension in the war and interpret the data which can give impact on
nation and their civilian. It also helps to identify combatant and non-combatant civilian. Thomas
expresses that just war theory follows criteria which is classifies into three sections and each
section address rules and regulation (Ferrill, 2018). These principles support nation to identifies
limitation of enemies and gives fair justification in war. Military and individual soldiers keeps
them safe by applying ethical war theory which leads safety from unprovoked war. Rest of
philosophers claims that just war theory is not more effective for soldiers and armies because
during war each rules can't implement. It leads gives guidance but unable to address about
enemies activities, There are various philosophers who postulate about just war theory. Some
philosophers agree with just war theory while others are disagreed with the theory.
Just war theory has some requirement such as just cause, last resort, valid authority,
proportionality, probable success and exist strategy. These all are requirement of the theory. In
21st century soldiers enable to find limitation of enemies and potential of armies which can lead
desirable outcomes in nation. Just war theory helps civilian because they can make them safe
from unprovoked attack. It gives fair decision in war and maintains standard of armies. On the
basis of laws in war, government enables to save innocent civilian from violence. On the basis of
just war theory, government enables to save personnel weapon (Ewence and Grady, eds., 2017).
International law assists nation to defence unprovoked attack. Armies and military enables to
identify criminal behaviour and non-criminal behaviour with enemies which saves them to
committed offences. Valid authority rule helps 21st century to keep them self dependent in each

type of situation while decriminalize law helps soldiers to keep their family protective. This
theory model gives guidance of justification within war. Even it gives guidance before war
where government allows soldiers to apply their rights, properties and boundaries. Exist strategy
is a part of the just war theory which provides direction to soldiers or armies how to implement
strategy and take desirable advantage. It is beneficial theory for soldiers, armies and civilian.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded the just war theory which supports military, armies and non-
combatant civilian. In this report has been concluded just war theory and its history which is
expressed by Thomas Aquina. Philosopher has been concluded about just war theory model, In
this report, it has been concluded that 20th century is peaceful but in half century it transforms
into cold war, that period is required just war theory concept. Just war theory is reductant for 21st
century and non reductant for 20th century have been concluded.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Betts, R. K. ed., 2017. Conflict after the Cold War: arguments on causes of war and peace.
Taylor & Francis.
Burne, A. H., 2016. The Crecy War: A Military History of the Hundred Years War from 1337 to
the Peace of Bretigny in 1360. Frontline Books.

Ewence, H. and Grady, T. eds., 2017. Minorities and the First World War: From War to Peace.
Springer.
Ferrill, A., 2018. The origins of war: From the stone age to Alexander the Great. Routledge.
Levering, R. B., 2016. The cold war: a post-cold war history. John Wiley & Sons.
Mackay, R., 2018. Half the battle: civilian morale in Britain during the Second World War.
Manchester University Press.
Popenoe, D., 2017. War over the Family. Routledge.
Robinson, P., 2017. Just war in comparative perspective. Routledge.
Schmelzle, C., 2019. The legitimacy of occupation authority: beyond just war theory. Critical
Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, pp.1-22.
Ward, G. C. and Burns, K., 2018. The Vietnam war: an intimate history. Random House.
Williamson, M., 2016. Terrorism, war and international law: the legality of the use of force
against Afghanistan in 2001. Routledge.
Karoubi, M.T., 2017. Just or unjust war?: international law and unilateral use of armed force by
states at the turn of the 20th century. Routledge.