Just War Theory: The Critique of the Foundations

Abstract

The article contains investigation and critique of the foundations of the contemporary just war theory. The foundations are culture specific and do not possess the necessary character traits of the universal ethical theory. The major theses of the article are the following: The contemporary war cannot be just, but can be justified. The contemporary just war theory is based on the concept of general justice, which by definition presupposes aggression and interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. The just war theory should be regarded not as a normative conception of war in its own right, but as an eclectic hybrid of militarism and pacifism, endowed with all the features of a “redundant entity”. The only possible justification of the contemporary war may be related exclusively to the necessary self-defense.