A Just War?

A Just War?

from Dissident Voice by Jim McCluskey

War has been problematic since Roman times, especially after the rise of Christianity. “Thou shalt not kill” did not seem to leave much wriggle-room. Yet it was recognised that people have a right to defend themselves when under lethal attack. St Augustine suggested a solution in his theory of a Just War. This was developed by St Thomas Aquinas in the Middle Ages and his tenets for a Just War have been more or less accepted ever since by those who concern themselves about such things.
This article looks at the main tenets of Just War Theory as they relate to our wars in the Middle East and then asks if a war can be just that deploys the weapons of our modern arsenals.
Six essential elements for the conduct of a Just War are:

• Just Cause
• Proportionality
• Proper Authority
• Last Resort
• Right Intention
• Reasonable Hope for Success