8. May governments defend their people against unjust aggression?

“The Council and the Popes have stated clearly that governments threatened by armed, unjust aggression must defend their people. This includes defense by armed force if necessary as a last resort.” U.S. Bishops, The Challenge of Peace (1983) 75.

Reflections on defense against unjust aggression.
a) Why is defense against unjust aggression necessary?
b) What does the phrase “as a last resort” add to the statement?

9. Why and when is recourse to war permissible?

“a) Just Cause: War is permissible only to confront ‘a real and certain danger,’ i.e., to protect innocent life, to preserve conditions necessary for decent human existence, and to secure basic human rights b) Competent Authority:… war must be declared by those with responsibility for public order, not by private groups or individuals c) Comparative Justice:… In essence: which side is sufficiently ‘right’ in a dispute, and are the values at stake critical enough to override the presumption against war? d) Right Intention:…war can be legitimately intended only for the reasons set forth above as a just cause e) Last Resort: For resort to war to be justified, all peaceful alternatives must have been exhausted f) Probability of Success: This is a difficult criterion to apply, but its purpose is to prevent irrational resort to force or hopeless resistance when the outcome of either will clearly be disproportionate or futile g) Proportionality:… the damage to be inflicted and the costs incurred by war must be proportionate to the good expected by taking up arms.” U.S. Bishops, The Challenge of Peace (1983) 85-99.

Reflections on the just war theory.
a) State in your own words each of the seven conditions that must be met to have a just war.
b) Explain why each condition is necessary if the war is to be considered just.
c) Why would no nuclear war ever be able to be regarded as just?