Arguments Against Just War

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Introduction

The just war paradigm critically outlines a set of vital principles that must be upheld in order to conduct war in a morally justified manner. To execute the war justly, all six principles of the jus ad bellum must be enforced (Jackson, 2011). Jus ad bellum outlines the necessary components required for the resort to war to be justified (McMahan, 2005). These components include having a just cause, right intention, last resort, proportionality, reasonable chance of success and a proper authority (McMahan, 2005). In the event of Australia bombing terrorist groups, such as ISIS in Syria, Australia must satisfy the criterion of jus ad bellum completely. The essay will commence with firstly exploring how Australia is justified under …show more content…
Subsequently, if Australia is to intervene for humanitarian purposes, in support of US, then they are not justified, as they must be requested by the Syrian government to intervene. The second consideration is of proportionality, and how the benefits do not currently outweigh the costs in participating. The third consideration is last resort, a principle that has been satisfied, considering Australia has limited options but to issue a bombing campaign. A final consideration is whether there is a reasonable chance of success, and how this can only be assessed by exploring all areas of the impact a war can have. With right intention and proper authority, it is difficult to discuss these principles considering they can only be assessed in the present moment of the campaign unfolding. Thus, I will argue that Australia would not be justified in bombing ISIS targets in Syria, because at least more than one principle fails to uphold the criteria …show more content…
Just cause ‘specifies the ends for which it is permissible to engage in war, or it is permissible to pursue by means of war’ (McMahan 2005, p.2). Considering Australia has endured losses as a result of ISIS attacks at a Sydney café and serious injury to police officers, it becomes reasonable to assume that they have the right to retaliate by protecting themselves. Article 51 of the UN Charter restricts armed attacks, except in the case of self-defence, and this emphasises on the rationality of when two states should participate in war (Kretzmer, 2013). Self-defence is considered the only appropriate means by which it is appropriate to engage in war, under just cause (McMahan, 2005). A country must first be attacked, essentially, in order to participate in the acts of war, of killing and maiming people, in a justified manner (McMahan, 2005). However, it is important to recognise that it is unethical to participate in armed force through self-defence for retributive purposes; and this is where if Australia were to attack the rebel groups in Syria, they would require a ‘right intention’ in ensuring it is not a vengeful attack, but rather one of a protective nature (Kretzmer,
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