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Just War Theory Essay

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Just War Theory Essay
Just war theory is a set of normative principles that determines when military force is just (jus ad bellum principles) and how war can be executed (jus in bello principle). Although war is generally characterized as aggressive, destructive, and morbid, there are basic principles that ought to guide the conduct during wartime. Under jus ad bellum, the most important principle is that war must have a just cause. This means that the causes that resort to military force must be appropriate. For the war to be just, the war must be declared by a legitimate authority, be of last resort, seek peace as the future goal, violence be proportional to the harm it inflicts, have the right intention and have reasonable chance of success.
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However, now there are wide criticisms that everyone should be accountable for all of the just war theory. The broadness of the theory however, offers different sets of principles upon interpretation. Different cultures have different beliefs and views, which often does not allow for the theory to be applied. This theory then is able to fit different sides of the spectrum, based on interpretation. For instance, a country that views suicidal attack as honorable is on the opposite side from the American view. The tactic, and view on morality differs and it is difficult to come to the conclusion that they are in accordance to the same rule, and therefore harder to be applied to all parties involved. The theoretical aspect looks at these principles and examines whether decisions for war have been ethically have been made. The responsibility everyone has in crucial. The historical aspect deals with the rules or agreements that have been used for ages. The international agreements such as the Geneva and Hague conventions are a few of the rules aimed at controlling certain warfare conduct. The Just war theory principles are embodied in the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the United Nations (UN) Charter. The IHL is “a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed

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