Contemporary Warfare and Society – Weeks 2: “War: what is it, why and how should we study it?”

Question 3: What are the roles of moral and political concerns in the academic study of war?

1) Many problems exist in the relationship between war (defined as organised violence for a political purpose) and politics:

·        Many factors playing a role in shaping political discourse about war 

·        Absence of appropriate political objectives

-         Impossible military goals

-         Ill informed military objectives

-         Missing political guidance

-         Political goals operational in military terms 

·        Difficulty in establishing a dialogue between military and political leaders

-         Cultural differences

-         Ignorance

-         Individual responsibilities

-         Difficulties with strategy 

2) The language of strategy can be used to formulate rules à creation of a moral code

3) The morality of war can be judged with reference to two things: 

·        Reason for fighting – “jus ad bellum” (justice of war)

Tyranny of war exists in several way:

-         Lack of consent on the part of those non-participants involved

-         Often forced participation by soldiers

-         Ultimate tyranny: those who resist aggression are forced to match or surpass it 

·        Means adopted – “jus in bello” (justice in war)

Two sets of rules:

-         Regarding when and how soldiers can kill

-         Regarding who soldiers can kill