Michael Walzer’s "Just and Unjust War" from 1977 is considered a major work in traditional Just War Theory. Many of his assumptions are still the basis for modern warfare considerations. However, the author suggest that Walzer’s concept of jus in bello (the conduct of war) needs further revision, especially to provide an appropriate notion of combatants. In this respect, the theoretical conception of soldiers will be examined on three different levels of analysis. These include the combatants' contradictory responsibilities in jus ad bellum (the justification for war), jus in bello and the debate on the value of a soldier's life.
Firstly, the contradictory role of combatants' responsibilities in jus ad bellum and jus in bello by referring to Graham Parsons' criticism on the dualism of Just War Theory will be outlined. Then, the author elaborates on Walzer's claim that all soldiers are morally equal. The following critical analysis of the value of combatants' lives as individual human beings will further demonstrate the need for a revised perception of combatants in modern warfare and point out why Walzer's assumptions are insufficient.
While the role of civilians and their need for protection has developed over time and even restrictions for cruel methods of killing were introduced, the status of soldiers has basically remained the same. In this work the author arugues that striving toward more just warfare also requires reconsidering the highly inhumane status of soldiers in traditional approaches.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: The Contradictory Role of Combatants' Responsibilities in Jus Ad Bellum and Jus In Bello
- Chapter 2: The Moral Equality of All Soldiers
- Chapter 3: The Value of a Soldier's Life
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper aims to revise Michael Walzer's concept of jus in bello, specifically regarding the notion of combatants. It analyzes the theoretical conception of soldiers on three levels: their contradictory responsibilities in jus ad bellum and jus in bello, the idea of moral equality among soldiers, and the value of a soldier's life. The paper combines moral philosophical analysis with normative theory to argue for a more just approach to warfare.
- The contradictory responsibilities of combatants in jus ad bellum and jus in bello.
- The concept of moral equality among all soldiers.
- The value of a soldier's life in traditional just war theory.
- The need for a revised perception of combatants in modern warfare.
- The proposal for new regulations on permissible killings of combatants.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1: The Contradictory Role of Combatants' Responsibilities in Jus Ad Bellum and Jus In Bello: This chapter examines the theoretical framework of jus ad bellum and jus in bello concerning soldier responsibilities. It highlights the contradiction between a soldier's obligation to obey commands (jus ad bellum) and their individual moral responsibility to act justly (jus in bello). Drawing on Graham Parsons' critique, the chapter demonstrates how Walzer's theory, rooted in opposing principles of justice (public war and discrimination), leads to conflicting roles for soldiers. The soldier is simultaneously an instrument of the political community and an individual moral agent, creating moral ambiguities, especially regarding the permissibility of actions during warfare. This conflict between collective and individual responsibility forms the basis for subsequent analysis.
Chapter 2: The Moral Equality of All Soldiers: This chapter critically analyzes Walzer's claim that all soldiers are morally equal. It questions the scope of "all soldiers," considering whether the claim applies to irregular fighters like terrorists or paramilitary forces. Even when considering only just and unjust combatants, the chapter argues that Walzer's claim is inconsistent. Using the example of self-defense, it demonstrates that unjust combatants cannot equally satisfy the requirements of proportionality, undermining the notion of moral equality in jus in bello. The chapter concludes that Walzer's statement is insufficient due to its neglect of the interconnectedness of jus ad bellum and jus in bello and its generalization across diverse soldier groups.
Chapter 3: The Value of a Soldier's Life: This chapter addresses the lack of value attributed to individual soldier lives in traditional just war theory, including Walzer's work. It highlights the disparity between the protection afforded to civilians and the permissibility of targeting soldiers at any time, regardless of threat level. The chapter cites examples where soldiers are considered fair game even during non-combat activities, demonstrating a significant lack of justice. It then introduces the concept of threat-based analysis as a potential solution to reduce unnecessary soldier casualties, emphasizing the principle that all lives should be considered equally valuable, even within the context of war. The chapter suggests that implementing regulations on the permissibility of killing soldiers is morally necessary for a more just approach to warfare.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Just War Theory, jus ad bellum, jus in bello, Michael Walzer, combatants, soldiers, moral equality, proportionality, value of life, responsibility, warfare, normative theory, moral philosophy, threat-based analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this research paper?
This research paper revises Michael Walzer's concept of jus in bello, focusing on the notion of combatants. It analyzes soldiers' theoretical conception on three levels: their contradictory responsibilities in jus ad bellum and jus in bello, the idea of moral equality among soldiers, and the value of a soldier's life. The paper uses moral philosophical analysis and normative theory to advocate for a more just approach to warfare.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include the contradictory responsibilities of combatants in jus ad bellum and jus in bello; the concept of moral equality among all soldiers; the value of a soldier's life in traditional just war theory; the need for a revised perception of combatants in modern warfare; and the proposal for new regulations on permissible killings of combatants.
What are the main chapters and their focuses?
Chapter 1 examines the contradictory responsibilities of soldiers within jus ad bellum and jus in bello frameworks, highlighting the conflict between obeying commands and acting justly. Chapter 2 critically analyzes Walzer's claim of moral equality among all soldiers, questioning its application to irregular fighters and inconsistencies in the context of self-defense. Chapter 3 addresses the undervaluing of soldiers' lives in traditional just war theory and proposes threat-based analysis as a solution to reduce unnecessary casualties, emphasizing the equal value of all lives, even in war.
What is the methodology used in this research?
The paper combines moral philosophical analysis with normative theory to construct its arguments and propose a more just approach to warfare.
What are the key findings or arguments of the paper?
The paper argues that Walzer's theory contains internal contradictions regarding the role of combatants. It challenges the notion of moral equality among all soldiers, particularly considering irregular fighters. It also highlights the unjust disparity in the protection afforded to civilians versus soldiers and proposes threat-based analysis to better protect soldiers' lives while maintaining a just approach to warfare. The paper ultimately advocates for a revised understanding of combatants and new regulations on permissible killings.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Just War Theory, jus ad bellum, jus in bello, Michael Walzer, combatants, soldiers, moral equality, proportionality, value of life, responsibility, warfare, normative theory, moral philosophy, threat-based analysis.
Who is the intended audience for this research?
This research is intended for academic use, focusing on the analysis of themes within just war theory.
Where can I find more information?
The provided text offers a comprehensive language preview, including the table of contents and chapter summaries, which can serve as a starting point for further research.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Elena Mertel (Autor:in), 2018, Michael Walzer's Just War Theory, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/498136
