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Exploring Just War Theory: Morality and Impact of Warfare

Delve into the morality and impact of war through the lens of Just War Theory, examining criteria such as just cause, legitimate authority, and non-combatant immunity. Evaluate Pope John Paul II's stance and consider the real costs of conflict on civilians, economies, and societal well-being. Reflect on the global military spending trends, the human cost of war, and the potential for non-violent solutions. Discover the long-term implications of war on refugees, children, and the environment, while questioning the justification for escalating military expenditures. Join the discussion on reimagining peacebuilding efforts and the role of the United Nations in conflict resolution.

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Exploring Just War Theory: Morality and Impact of Warfare

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  1. War

  2. Introduction “Of all the enemies to public liberty war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes … known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few.… No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” James Madison, Political Observations, 1795

  3. When is a War Just?   For almost 2000 years the question of when Christians should go to war has been hotly debated. Since the taking of human life is so seriously opposed to Gospel values, warfare has always presented a serious moral dilemma. In the Middle Ages St.Thomas Aquinas developed the “Just War Theory” not to justify war but to limit its scope and methods.

  4. Just War Theory

  5. The criteria set out for the just war include – • The cause must be just. • It must be undertaken by a legitimate authority • The intention must be right. • It must be a last resort. • There must be a declaration of war. • There must be reasonable hope of success. • The good that it hopes to achieve must outweigh the evil produced (the criteria of proportionality). • Non-Combatants must be immune from attack.

  6. Discuss • Based on this criteria discuss the morality of war in Iraq, Palestine or Syria. • Pope John Paul II said “Today the horror and scale of modern warfare makes it totally unacceptable as a means of settling differences”. Do you agree?

  7. Catechism of the Catholic Church on War • 2327 Because of the evils and injustices that all war brings with it, we must do everything reasonably possible to avoid it. The Church prays: "From famine, pestilence, and war, O Lord, deliver us." • 2328 The Church and human reason assert the permanent validity of the moral law during armed conflicts. Practices deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are crimes. • 2329 "The arms race is one of the greatest curses on the human race and the harm it inflicts on the poor is more than can be endured" (GS 81 § 3). • 2330 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Mt 5:9).

  8. War –The Real Cost? • In the year 2012 total world military spending came to $1700billion (or $242 for each person on the planet) a 50% increase in the 11 year period since 2001.

  9. Top 5 Sellers of Arms in the World • United States • China • Russia • UK • Japan

  10. Military spending is concentrated in North America, Europe, and increasingly, Asia:

  11. Increased spending before and even during global economic crisis • The global financial and economic crisis has resulted in many nations cutting back on all sorts of public spending (often against the criticism of targeting sectors that were not responsible for the crisis), and yet military spending seems to be increasing. How is that justified?

  12. Spending for peace vs spending for war • “There is a large gap between what countries are prepared to allocate for military means to provide security and maintain their global and regional power status, on the one hand, and to alleviate poverty and promote economic development, on the other.” Stockholm International Peace Research Institute

  13. The Human Cost of War • Imagine what the conflict in Libya or another country in conflict is causing for the ordinary people who live in the country. • Crops, land and environment are destroyed. • Destruction of food stores, shops and property. • Inflation increases dramatically at times of conflict leading to poverty for most of the population. • People are forced to flee and become refugees or internally displaced. • Much trade and small business ceases. • Governments stop spending on social needs and divert funds to military hardware. • Roads and means of travel are often dangerous. • It can be difficult to get access for emergency relief. • Young people are forced to become soldiers.

  14. Discuss • What are the long-term impacts for the people of a country at war even when the conflict ceases. For example: If no crops are planted this year, what will next year hold? • What will the future hold for the many refugees who flee the conflict? • What are the long-term implications when children are used in war?

  15. Imagine if all the military mind power and money that is being spent on war was spent instead on finding other non-violent solutions, what might be possible?

  16. The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has cost over 1,000 billion dollars. • The arms trade is the second biggest trade in the world (after illegal drugs!). • In armed conflicts since 1945, 90% of casualties have been civilians, compared to 50% in the Second World War and 10% in the First. • There are 250,000 licensed firearms dealers in the US alone.

  17. THE U.N. • The U.N. was created after World War II with leading efforts by the United States and key allies. • The U.N. was set up to be committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective security. • Yet, the U.N.’s entire budget is just a tiny fraction of the world’s military expenditure, approximately 1.8% • While the U.N. is not perfect and has many internal issues that need addressing, it is revealing that the world can spend so much on their military but contribute so little to the goals of global security, international cooperation and peace.

  18. At the current level of spending (for 2012), it would take just a handful of years for the world’s donor countries to cover their entire aid shortfall, of over $4 trillion in promised official aid since 1970, more than 40 years ago.

  19. Unfortunately, however poverty fuels violence and defence spending has a tendency to rise during times of economic hardship. • The global financial crisis is potentially ushering in enormous economic hardship around the world.

  20. At a time when a deep economic recession is causing much turbulence in the civilian world … defence giants such as Boeing and EADS, or Finmeccanica and Northrop Grumman, are enjoying a reliable and growing revenue stream from countries eager to increase their military might. • Both geopolitical hostilities and domestic violence tend to flare up during downturns. • Shareholders and employees in the aerospace and defence industry are clearly the ones who benefit most from growing defense spending. • Defence companies, whose main task is to aid governments’ efforts to defend or acquire territory, routinely highlight their capacity to contribute to economic growth and to provide employment. • Military might delivers geopolitical supremacy, but peace delivers economic prosperity and stability. — JornMadslien, The purchasing power of peace , BBC, June 3, 2009

  21. War versus Poverty The $1700 billion spent in the year 2012 on the arms industry could have tackled some of the greatest needs of our world. • Providing basic health care to those currently without - $20 billion per annum. • Providing shelter to those without it - $21 billion per annum. • Provide literacy for all - $5 billion per annum. • Eliminate starvation and malnourishment - $25 billion per annum. • Provide safe clean water for all - $50 billion per annum. Total cost - $129 billion per annum.

  22. Discuss • Are these figures surprising or shocking? • Who makes the choices here? • Why do we spend more on war than on peace? • What does this say about the world that we live in?

  23. THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR PEACE

  24. Lead us from death to life, From falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, From fear to trust. Lead us from hate to love, From war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, Our world, our universe. Let us dream together, Pray together, Work together, To build one world Of peace and justice for all.

  25. Deep peace of the running wave to you; Deep peace of the flowing air to you; Deep peace of the quiet earth to you; Deep peace of the shining stars to you; Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you. Celtic blessing, Celebrating Together (Corrymeela Press 1987)

  26. Goodness is stronger than evil,Love is stronger than hate,Light is stronger than darkness,Life is stronger than death. Desmond Tutu.

  27. ChaosThe state of our world demands the question: Is God really in control? Look around. There is war, rioting, destruction, and brokenness. So much has gone wrong, and things seem to be getting worse, not better. How can a good God allow all of this pain? While the evil of the world causes some to question the existence or character of God, C.S. Lewis argued that it ought to show us that mankind is on the wrong path and in need of a redeeming God. • Watch the video CHAOS on IgniterMedia: http://www.ignitermedia.com/mini-movies/21/Chaos

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