Just Wars Theory §

• Why must wars be just? ¹
  • legitimate uses of force in morally worthy pursuits are urgent
  • to understand if deadly force can be used with the right intent
  • in ways that are morally acceptable in the eyes of the international community

It includes 2 main components in the context of dispute resolution ¹ §

jus ad bellum §

• In the Just Wars Theory jus ad bellum is the 4 context necessary for the right to go to war ¹
  1. there must be a just cause to go to war;
  2. the decision ought to be made by a legitimate authority;
  3. force is to be used only with the right intention and as a last resort;
  4. there must be a reasonable hope for success, with peace as the expected outcome
  5. the use of force must be proportionate and discriminate.

jus in bello §

In Just Wars Theory jus in bello is the the conduct during war, how actors are supposed to act in accordance with international laws

jus post bellum §

• In Just Wars Theory jus post bellum is what must be done in the context of post-war.
  • The rebuilding of a country’s societal functions, governance, security, and economic.

References §

Footnotes §

1. US intervention in Afghanistan Justifying the Unjustifiable - Leoni Connah ↩ ↩² ↩³