War - Just war theory (copy)

Who made this theory?

St Thomas Aquinas

What is this theory?

A war should only be fought for a cause that is morally justified

What are the conditions of just war?

• Last resort - War must be the last resort

• Legitimate authority - War must be lawfully declared by a government with the authority to declare war

• Just cause - There must be a just cause and proper intention for the war

• Reasonable success - There must be a reasonable chance of success

What must just war be?

• Good outweighs evil - The good gained by winning the war must be greater than the evil caused by fighting it

• Proportionality - there must be proportionality, only ‘appropriate force’ should be used.

• Innocent shouldn’t be killed

• Peace restored at the end

Jus ad bellum

the body of law which provides grounds justifying the transition from peace to armed force

jus in bello

the conduct and responsibilities of belligerent nations, neutral nations and individuals engaged in armed conflict in relation to each other