Moral Constraints on War: Principles and Cases

by Bruno Coppieters (Editor), Nick Fotion (Editor)

Overview

This second edition of Moral Constraints on War offers a principle-by-principle presentation of the trans-cultural roots of the ethics of war in an age defined by the increasingly international nature of military intervention. Parts one and two trace the evolution of Just War Theory, analyzing the principles of jus ad bellum and jus in bello: the principles that determine under what conditions a war may be started and then conducted. Each chapter provides a historical background of the principle under discussion, an explanation of the principle, and numerous historical examples of its application. In Part three, case studies apply the theories discussed to NATO's humanitarian mission in Kosovo, terrorism and the Iraq War. Bringing together an international coterie of philosophers and political scientists, this accessible and practical guide offers students of military ethics and international relations rich, up-to-the-minute insight into the pluralistic character of Just War Theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739129913
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	06/27/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
File size:	586 KB

About the Author

Nick Fotion is professor of philosophy at Emory University. Bruno Coppieters is professor of political science at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Contents
Chapter 2 Preface
Chapter 3 Introduction
Chapter 4 I Jus ad Bellum
Chapter 5 1 Just Cause
Chapter 6 2 Legitimate Authority
Chapter 7 3 Right Intentions
Chapter 8 4 The Likelihood of Success
Chapter 9 5 Proportionality
Chapter 10 6 Last Resort
Chapter 11 II Jus in Bello
Chapter 12 A Historical Overview of the Jus in Bello Constraints
Chapter 13 7 Proportionality
Chapter 14 8 Discrimination
Chapter 15 III Cases
Chapter 16 9 The NATO Intervention in the Kosovo Crisis: March-June 1999
Chapter 17 10 NATO's Intervention in the Kosovo Crisis: Whose Justice?
Chapter 18 11 Kosovo and the Question of a Just Secession
Chapter 19 12 TERRORISM
Chapter 20 13 The War in Iraq (2003 and Beyond)
Chapter 21 Concluding Comments

What People are Saying About This

Rick Werner

I am impressed by the scholarship, breadth, and clarity of the work. The authors clearly discuss the various principles and rules of Just War Theory . . . and cover many diverse perspectives. The work draws on a number of helpful examples, including many from wars of the past decade, to create an international viewpoint.

Rex Martin

This well-integrated book is truly an impressive cross-cultural scholarly collaboration and international effort. It is a welcome addition to a large and growing literature and will prove to be an excellent value not only to interested scholars, but also in related undergraduate and graduate university courses in religion, philosophy, political science and international relations.

Dmitri Trenin

There is extensive literature that deals with threat perceptions in the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia. This book is unique in that it brings [to the debate] the application of transcultural ethical principles to the question of war.

Editorial Reviews

Coppieters and Fotion have edited an interesting and useful volume on the contemporary relevance and application of just war theory. . . . the volume is a very welcome addition. . . . it offers good insights into the debate on the ethics of war and ultimately enriches the debate.

Millennium: Journal of International Studies

This well-integrated book is truly an impressive cross-cultural scholarly collaboration and international effort. It is a welcome addition to a large and growing literature and will prove to be an excellent value not only to interested scholars, but also in related undergraduate and graduate university courses in religion, philosophy, political science and international relations.

Rex Martin

There is extensive literature that deals with threat perceptions in the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia. This book is unique in that it brings [to the debate] the application of transcultural ethical principles to the question of war.

Dmitri Trenin

I am impressed by the scholarship, breadth, and clarity of the work. The authors clearly discuss the various principles and rules of Just War Theory . . . and cover many diverse perspectives. The work draws on a number of helpful examples, including many from wars of the past decade, to create an international viewpoint.

Rick Werner

Coppieters and Fotion have edited an interesting and useful volume on the contemporary relevance and application of just war theory. . . . the volume is a very welcome addition. . . . it offers good insights into the debate on the ethics of war and ultimately enriches the debate.

Millennium: Journal of International Studies

This excellent book on war and ethics focuses in particular on just war theory, but it also examines in some detail realism, militarism and pacifism.

Journal of Peace Research

The book is a very good demonstration of just-war theory's current relevance and importance.

CHOICE

The book will be of special interest to anyone working in the field of military ethics, and it will also be valuable to others with an interest in moral issues in the context of war.

Journal Of Peace Research

For a reader who is looking for an interesting, concise, and well-organized book on the just war criteria, utilizing contemporary examples to demonstrate how they work, this volume is a must-read.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Coppieters and Fotion have edited an interesting and useful volume on the contemporary relevance and application of just war theory. . . . the volume is a very welcome addition. . . . it offers good insights into the debate on the ethics of war and ultimately enriches the debate.

Millennium:Journal Of International Studies

The book is a very good demonstration of just-war theory's current relevance and importance.

Choice

For a reader who is looking for an interesting, concise, and well-organized book on the just war criteria, utlizing contemporary examples to demonstrate how they work, this volume is a must-read.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Coppieters and Fotion have edited an interesting and useful volume on the contemporary relevance and application of just war theory. . . . the volume is a very welcome addition. . . . it offers good insights into the debate on the ethics of war and ultimately enriches the debate.

Millennium:Journal Of International Studies