Just War: Principles and Cases - Softcover

Regan, Richard J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813208564 ISBN 13: 9780813208565

Publisher: Catholic University America Pr, 1996

Synopsis

Most individuals realise that we have a moral obligation to avoid the evils of war. But this realization raises a host of difficult questions when we, as responsible individuals, witness harrowing injustices such as ""ethnic cleansing"" in Bosnia or starvation in Somalia. With millions of lives at stake, is war ever justified? And, if so, for what purpose? In this book, Richard J. Regan confronts these controversial questions by first considering the basic principles of just-war theory and then applying those principles to historical and ongoing conflicts. Part One presents two opposing viewpoints: first, that war is not subject to moral norms and, second, that war is never morally permissible. The author rejects both perspectives, and moves to define the principles of just-war theory. He evaluates the roles of the president, Congress and, most importantly, the UN Security Council in determining when long-term US military involvement is justified. The moral limits of war conduct and the moral problem of using, or threatening to use, nuclear weapons are also discussed. On the just cause to wage war, Regan argues that defense of nations and nationals - whether in self-defense or in defense of others - remains the ""only"" classical cause that in the modern world would justify resorting to war. With respect to military intervention in secessionist and revolutionary wars, he contends that such intervention might be justified, but that prudence dictates extreme caution. In considering acceptable war conduct, Regan elaborates the specific principle of discrimination and proportionality; he maintains that civilians uninvolved in the enemy's war should not be directly targeted and that the costs of military action must be proportionate to the anticipated benefits of destroying military targets. The second part of the book presents case studies of eight historical wars - World War I, the Vietnam War, the Falklands War, the revolution and civil war in Nicaragua, the civil war in El Salvador, the Gulf War, the intervention in Somalia, and the Bosnian War - and poses several provocative questions about each. It invites readers and students to apply just-war principles to complex war-related situations and to understand the factual contingencies involved in moral judgements about war decisions. The book should be of particular interest to students of the moral issues of international relations and to readers interested more generally in philosophy, theology and political science.

About this title

Review

“Just War: Principles and Cases is clear, concise, and cogently argued. It belongs in the libraries of legislators and military men alike—anyone however remotely involved in deciding when a nation should go to war. Regan carefully considers all sides, every nuance of every question.”—U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings “The book is valuable in exploring the complexity in the context of modern war. The case studies force the reader to apply the theory to war as it is in reality, not war as we might want it to be in the ideal.”—Journal of Church and State “A readable, insightful, and provocative treatment of just-war thinking as it applies to historical and ongoing conflicts. . . . Regan’s book is an excellent choice for courses on the morality of war and the challenge of peace.”—Theological Studies “This book is well conceived, lucidly written, and shows an admirable blend of the moral, legal, and historical materials essential to assessing war thoroughly.”—International Philosophical Quarterly</i>

About the Author

RICHARD J. REGAN, a Jesuit priest, attended Harvard Law School and received his doctorate in political science from the University of Chicago. He is emeritus professor of political science at Fordham University. Regan is the author of several books, most recently Aquinas: A Summary of Philosophy; and the translator of numerous works by Thomas Aquinas, including The Cardinal Virtues, Compendium of Theology, and Commentary on Aristotle's Politics.

Edition details

• Publisher: Catholic University America Pr
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813208564
• ISBN 13: 9780813208565
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 247