Notes on "The Outlawry of War" by Philip Kerr

  • Dual Perspectives on International Affairs

    • Two primary schools of thought exist regarding international relations:
    • Idealists:
      • Disgusted by global injustice and violence.
      • Demand abolition of war in favor of reason and justice for dispute resolution.
    • Pragmatists:
      • Acknowledge the importance of national security.
      • Advocacies for practical approaches to peace, yet remain cautious about idealistic views.

  • Concept of Outlawry of War

    • Term "outlawry of war" implies outlawing violence as a method for resolving international disputes.
    • Generally regarded as placing violence outside the law at a global scale.
    • Signifies recognizing and enforcing pacific conflict resolution methods to replace war.
    • Importance of abandoning the normalization of war as a method for resolving disputes.

  • Fundamental Ideas

    • Just as violence is unlawful among citizens, it should be viewed similarly among nations.
    • Societies thrive when violence is prohibited; similarly, nations should renounce war to foster peaceful international relations.
    • War has traditionally been viewed as a legitimate means of dispute resolution.
    • Need for universal law to replace anarchy, preventing war from defining international relations.

  • Legalization of War and Its Consequences

    • Legalization leads to:
    • Competitive armament races among nations for security.
    • Heightened suspicion and tension, maintaining an unstable international environment.
    • Peaceful resolution becomes increasingly challenging when nations prioritize security over justice.
    • Strategic implications overshadow considerations of justice when determining acceptable alterations to national boundaries or colonies.

  • Advocacy for Outlawry of War

    • Without outlawing war, nations will continue preparing for conflict.
    • The failure to renounce violence will ultimately lead to its escalation.

  • Covenant of the League of Nations Comparison

    • The League establishes mechanisms for dispute resolution but does not outlaw war and permits the use of force where necessary.
    • The outlawry perspective argues that without outlawing war, the League may ultimately falter.

  • Peace Pact of 1928

    • Forms a framework of non-aggression and diplomatic resolution among signatories.
    • Commits nations to renounce war as an instrument of policy but lacks enforceability against acts of war.
    • Highlights the gesture towards a collective mindset advocating the delegalization of war, akin to how domestic law operates.