Can Modern War Be Just?Now that mankind has created the capability of destroying itself through nuclear technology, is it still possible to think in terms of a just war? Johnson argues that it is, and in the context of specific case studies he offers moral guidelines for addressing such major contemporary problems as terrorist activity in a foreign country, an individual's conscientious objection to military service, and an American defense policy that requires development of weapons that may be morally employed in case of need. Remarkable. . . . A thoughtful and even profound book, which can be warmly recommended.--Adam Roberts, New Society [A] wise, prudential, and moral thesis. . . . A most important book, one that all Americans who can should read.--George Armstrong Kelly, Political Science Quarterly At its heart, Can Modern War be Just? Is a challenge to the common assumption that any modern war must be total--an unrestrained, spasmodic release of one's entire destructive capacity against the whole of the enemy's population.--Richard Allen, Journal of Religious Ethics Johnson . . . seriously attempt[s] to balance principles and respect facts. For this he is to be praised.--Gary Jason, Chronicles of Culture Johnson's application of just war doctrine to the hardest problems of contemporary warfare is both morally sensitive and intellectually bold. Readers will sometimes disagree with his arguments, but they will be forced to think hard, and they will learn what it is to work within a moral tradition.--Michael Walzer |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Utility of Just War Categories | 11 |
Can Contemporary Armed Conflicts Be Just? | 30 |
Morally Legitimate Defense | 67 |
Weapons Tactics and Morality in War | 107 |
Strategic Targeting | 129 |
Individual Decisions and Morality in War | 153 |
The Causes of War and the Restraint of War | 174 |
Notes | 191 |
207 | |
213 | |
Common terms and phrases
all-out argued argument Armed Conflicts attack Augustine blast bombing Catholic cause chap chapter Christian claim combatants concept conscience conscientious objection contemporary context conventional countercity counterforce counterforce targeting counterpopulation cruise missile debate decision defense defined destructive deterrent discrimination discussion doctrine effect employed enemy evil example firebreak fission fundamental further harm to noncombatants human idea Ideology implies insurgency intention intentionality international law Israeli jus ad bellum jus in bello justice justified kind law of war legitimate means ment Michael Mandelbaum military force military service modern neutron warhead noncombatant immunity nuclear war objector peace persons political population centers possible potential practice principle problem proportionality protect question radiation Ramsey reason represent resort responsibility restraint strategic bombing strategic nuclear weapons strategic targeting tactical tegic theater threat tion tional values Victoria Walzer war tradition warfare wars weap weaponry World World War II