Just war theory's three principles and historical development

Just War

THE TWO FACES OF WAR

The Theory

The basic and universal sentiment is that war assaults people's rights to life, security, subsistence, peace and liberty (Lacewing, 2012). Some contend, however, that war is just under certain conditions, which morally justify it. This Theory consists of three parts, namely the justice of resorting to war or jus ad bellum; just conduct in war or jus in bello; and justice at the end of war or jus post bellum. The justice basis of resorting to war is grounded on six criteria, which justify it. It has a just cause. It has the right intention. It is made through the proper authority. It is made as a last resort. It has a probability of success. And it has a proportionate response. Justice in war refers to the treatment of the enemy. There is justice if weapons prohibited by international law are not used. Only combatants may be targeted and only with the minimum use of force. Military force should be proportionate to the accomplishment of the just end. The prisoners of war must receive human treatment once captured. Intrinsically evil weapons or means of war cannot be used, such as ethnic cleansing and mass rape. Military forces may not break these rules even if the enemy is doing so. And justice at the end of war requires the securing of the rights of those whose violation justified the war. The declaration of peace must be made through the proper authority. Justice governs the peace settlement on a reasonable basis, not as a form of revenge. Public and international trials for war crimes shall be conducted (Lacewing). But strictly speaking, I disagree to any kind of war.

Examples of Just and Unjust Wars

The 1950 Korean War fulfills the requirements of the Theory. North Korean forces invaded South Korea in a bid to conquering the latter and controlling its government (Buell, 2002). South Korea was justified in defending itself and other democratic nations' coming to its aid, led by the United States and authorized by the United Nations Security Council. But the British offensive against German cities and the American bombing of Japan during World War II can be classified as unjust. The British staged a terror bombing in July 1943, which burned and destroyed lands, buildings and people. Approximately 600,000 German civilians died as a consequence. The same tactic was needlessly used by the U.S. On Japan in February 1945, using high-level daylight strikes intended to burn cities. Japan at that time did not yet have any air force. Civilian deaths were more numerous than in German cities by the British (Buell).