CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY DAREN BOWYER JUST WAR DOCTRINE

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION
5.1 Conclusion 1: Just War Doctrine has Continued Appeal to the Principal
International Relations Schools of Thought
The three principal schools of International Relations thought that can be seen to hold
continuous sway over today’s Western policy makers are Realism, Liberalism and
International Society. Just war doctrine has appeal to all three.
Realism outwardly eschews moral argument from issues of international relations in
general and war in particular; the concept of ‘national interest’ instead is supposed to
provide the sole underpinning of policy guidance. However, the absolute realism
illustrated in the Melian Dialogue is likely to build resentment and provoke challenge to
a hegemon; a more measured approach to use of force – for which just war offers sound
guidance – might be expected to preserve a hegemon’s authority, by minimising
challenge. If realists seek, for reasons of cost and risk, to avoid war, then again just war
can offer a useful guide to restricting its occurrence. Although realists argue that,
whatever the arguments about when force might be used, once battle is joined there is
no place for moral judgement (all that matters is winning), in fact the history of warfare
argues otherwise; soldiers are repeatedly shown to be moral agents and instruments of
compassion.
As description, realism is disproved in fact. As prescription it fails to take into account
the importance that must be attached – as proved empirically throughout history – to a
state’s moral standing. Moreover, restraint in conduct and adherence to widely
acknowledged rules can be seen as sensible insurance for a powerful country against the
day when power has shifted. If nothing else the realist/moral-sceptic must recognise the
prudential argument for restricting both the occasion of and conduct within war. Just
war can offer the framework of guidance for this.
Kant’s internationalisation of liberalism identifies the need for a supranational power to
maintain order in the international system even though it is a ‘society’ into which states
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