Thesis
Just war theory: the ethics of revolution
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2012
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102962
Abstract
Given the changing nature of war and conflicts over the past 60 years, how do the rules of jus ad bellum apply? More specifically, when is it justifiable to raise arms against the state? I explore this complex issue in a variety of ways. First I examine the 'proper authority' tenet of jus ad bellum from the perspective of state sovereignty and subsequently, social contract theory. Unable to reconcile the gap between legal and right action as laid down by these theories, I turn to an examination of the changing nature of states and how their formation affects and contributes to war. This leads me to take a step back and consider the theoretical framework of our international legal system, i.e. liberalism. I critique traditional liberalism for its privileging of rationality over emotion and echo Judith Shklar's call for holding cruelty first. Such a shift of focus from justice first to cruelty first will, I argue, help to close the gap between legal and right action, especially as it applies to revolution and other intrastate wars.
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Details
- Title
- Just war theory
- Creators
- Patricia M. Cawley
- Contributors
- David Shier (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525165001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis