Just war theory in the International Politics “Theoretical study”

Abstract

Just war is a theory that contains moral and legal justifications, and governs the time and circumstances in which states are allowed to enter the war. Therefore, just war theory and the laws of war are reflecting to each other. The first has a long history of legitimizing war and its appearance possibly goes back to the Greek and Roman civilisation as the public interest was a reasoning for their wars. In the Middle-Ages, religious authority played a significant role in legitimizing the use of force by political authority. In the modern era, the nature of war and the principles of intervention have undergone changes, so that the implementation of that theory built and established the nation-state in the West. In contemporary times, Michael Walzer developed the theory so that individual rights became a central principle of just war. The main question of this study is whether war can be legitimized and reasonable or when intervention is legitimate? As well as how the forces are used? This study examines and explains the mentioned questions by presenting the roots and principles of that theory. Thus, it is assumed that a war is just when it is decided through the principles of a just war theory. This theory deals with the justification of how and why wars are fought. It can be concluded that Just war is a last resort and that its essential aim is always peace and Justice.