War Vs Just War

The Just War Tradition is a justification for how and why wars are fought. A just cause is clearly the most important rule setting the tone for everything else.1 The two basic rights for a just cause are the rights of the state and those of individual citizens. International law affirms these rights and further identifies legitimate governments (states) to have rights.2 To be legitimate the state must be recognized as legitimate by its people and by the international community. The state avoids violating rights of other legitimate states and lastly the state makes reasonable effort to meet the needs of their citizens. Conversely the aggressive acts against its people cause the aggressor to forfeit its rights as a legitimate state. Just