STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES JUST WAR THEORY STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

Strengths Provides a clear framework for assessing legitimacy of warfare for Christians. It provides a practical compromise between OT militarism and NT pacifism. It seeks to limit and control, not support universally, the use of violence. It has remained flexible, incorporating new ideas such as US Bishop’s notion of comparative justice, over centuries. It seeks to protect innocents not carrying weapons.

Weaknesses It allows for conflict, harm and suffering. It is an ethic largely based on a 2,500 year old book. It contradicts Jesus’ pacifist stance – “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5). Nuclear weapons and modern technology ask too much of the JWT. Aquinas contradicts himself: one of his ‘primary precepts’ is to preserve life. Does such a religious framework have a place in modern secular society? Monarchy/democracy is on form of government: can’t other cultures promoting other forms of government be considered a just authority?

How have technological developments, particularly during the 20th century, challenged the Just War theory?