'Just War' in Seven Cultures

Abstract

Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Greek Orthodox, Buddhist, and Chinese traditions regarding just war are compared, a matter of some importance in a time of numerous intercultural clashes and the claims by some that civilians are legitimate targets of terror attacks. There are variations within each tradition, but in general each has parallels to legitimate authority, just cause, right intention, right conduct, treatment of civilians, and the manner in which wars should be resolved. The Cold War period, the more-or-less simultaneous anti-colonial period, and terrorism provide the context in which the Just War tradition continues to evolve. Documents such as the UN Charter, the Helsinki Accords, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide a secular approach that define limits but leave their justification open, so are adaptable to many cultures.