Just War Doctrine

The Just War Doctrine consists of a set of criteria which must be met before a government can legitimately declare war and subsequently use lethal force. In this application paper, I will assess and scrutinize the fabric of the Grenada War in the attempt to convey the veridicality of the Just War Doctrine and the actions set forth during said war. The criteria of a just war according to the Just War Doctrine are a Just Cause, Legitimate Authority, Right Intention, Probability of Success, Proportionality, and Last Resort (Kisling 258-259). A “just cause” means that a community or nation is in danger of suffering damage that is lasting, grave, or certain (Kisling 258). It is not justified to wage war in order to gain new territory, increase
wealth, subjugate other peoples, or to expand a sphere of influence. Neither does it mean that it is necessary for the aggressor to strike first. A moral certainty that aggression will occur is sufficient (Kisling 258). This is particularly important when an aggressor can attack from a distance with little or no warning. An injury to the natural right of the nation to existence, self-preservation, property, or free action within its own sphere may be a sufficient cause for making war. Kemble 2 Legitimate Authority is in conjunction with Right Intention, for it entails that force may be used when all peaceful alternatives have been tried and found to be ineffective or impractical (Kisling 258).
Such alternatives require an authority that is for the common good and whose intentions are right. These alternatives include diplomacy, embargoes, blockades, covert actions, raids, and other means that avoid an all-out war. It is not necessary that all of these be tried and found wanting. It is sufficient that they are seriously considered and, if found to be impractical, are not actually employed. In order for a war to be "just," it must have a serious prospect of success (Kisling 259). Of course, there is no way to know the outcome of a war in advance. Many factors can change the outcome of a war, such as, other nations unexpectedly entering the conflict, loss of public will, internal betrayal, new political considerations, change in government, etc. What is required is the serious possibility of success before war is
engaged. Proportionality entails that the foreseen evil consequences caused by a war must not be greater than the evil to be eliminated (Kisling 259).
War always kills people and damages property. With the advent of modern weapons of mass destruction, the damage to people and property can be enormous and henceforth, measures should be taken to avoid such unfortunate realities. In addition, war creates economic burdens and changes the alignment of national alliances. Those who are responsible for deciding to go to war must do their best to attempt to foresee if the damage caused by starting a war will be
Kemble 3 greater than if things are allowed to run their course or other methods of resolving the conflict, however inadequate, are employed. A nation should use force only as a last resort, for all other peaceful means should be examined and, if possible, utilized before the decision is made to go to war (Kisling 259).
In 1983 the United States invaded the island of Grenada and overthrew the communist government in a span of less than two months (libcom). Problems between the US and the Caribbean nation began in 1979 (while the Cold War was still in effect) when a bloodless coup placed the pro-Marxist Maurice Bishop as the Prime Minister, which led to strengthened ties between Grenada and communist nations like Cuba and the Soviet Union
(libcom). Bishop was eventually murdered in October of 1983 during a power struggle with hard-liners in his own movement, creating a breakdown in civil order that threatened the lives of American medical students who were living on the island (zeroanthropology). In response, and at the request of allied Caribbean nations, the US launched "Operation Urgent Fury," sending the Marines to the north of the island and Army Rangers to the south (globalpolicy).
The causes of the war measure up to the Just War Criteria quite well, for almost all aspects of it support the war. The war had a just cause because a group of America citizens were in grave and certain danger, which would thus justify the imminent need for
Kemble 4 their defense. The authority, who is entrusted to the common good, which was to execute the invasion of Grenada, was declaring a war of defense for and by the people of which it represented. Success was highly probable, given the military might of the United States and its president, Ronald Reagan. Threats on the small island of Grenada were comprised of armed militia who were untrained and uneducated. The good far outweighed the bad, for a plethora of innocent citizens from America and Grenada were in imminent and grave danger, which would justify military action. When it comes to the lives of innocent people, life far outweighs death. Also, the war was a last resort, for the enemy was a group of militiamen who lacked professionalism and sympathy to outsiders and those who differed from their Marxist beliefs. I believe the war had a just cause, for innocent lives were in danger and required help from those who could provide it.