The Ethics of Armed Conflict: A Cosmopolitan Just War Theory

How do we decide whether a use of armed force is just or unjust? In this original book, John W. Lango takes some distinctive approaches to the ethics of armed conflict. These include a revisionist approach that involves generalising traditional just war principles, so that they are applicable by all sorts of responsible agents to all forms of armed conflict; a cosmopolitan approach that features the Security Council; a preventive approach that emphasises alternatives to armed force, including negotiation, nonviolent action and peacekeeping missions; and a human rights approach that encompasses not only armed humanitarian intervention but also armed invasion, armed revolution and all other forms of armed conflict. The just cause, last resort, proportionality and noncombatant immunity principles are discussed in depth. Additional topics are considered, including moral dilemmas, legitimate authority, deterrence, escalation, intelligence, drone strikes, no-fly zones and peace agreements. Recent real-world cases - such as Afghanistan, Darfur, Libya and South Sudan - are used as illustrations. John W. Lango is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Hunter College of the City University of New York. He has written numerous articles on just war theory and related subjects, including armed humanitarian intervention, preventive war, nonviolent action, nonlethal weapons, battlefield intelligence, and peacekeeping missions. He is one of the editors of Rethinking the Just War Tradition (2007). Cover image: photograph by the author of a burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) standing beside a burrow amidst vegetation at the end of a beach in Ventura, California. Cover design: [EUP logo] www.euppublishing.com