Just War Theory and Jihad Analytical Essay by scribbler

An examination of the foundational concepts for just war and jihad theory.
# 152250 | 1,024 words | 13 sources | APA | 2013 | US
Published on Jan 17, 2013 in Hot Topics (Terror and 9/11) , Political Science (Terrorism) , International Relations (General)


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Description:

The paper discusses how for most Western nations, the tradition of just war has been influential in shaping policies about why to engage in armed conflict, while for Islamic nations, the tradition of jihad has been used to bolster the claims for armed struggle. The paper explores the ancient sources to discover many of the foundational concepts for just war and jihad theory and points out any developmental changes over the years. The paper also looks at contemporary theory based on just war and jihad to synthesize briefly the debate. Finally, the paper concludes by showing how parallel the two traditions are--just war and jihad--even while differing in their basic justifications.

Outline:
Classical Theories of the Just War
Classical Theories of Jihad
Contemporary Theories of Just War and Jihad
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Cicero's account of just war probably did not initiate Roman imperialism, but it may have come to underpin it. Rome was already expanding its influence and fighting aggressive wars. In this context, Cicero gives a coherent account of just war that can serve as a base for the present analysis.
"His views on war seem to support the notion of engaging in unprovoked war and of asserting the right of conquest. According to Bellamy, Cicero argued that "war may only be fought to protect the safety or honour of the state" (2006, p. 19). Safety and order--or peaceful living--is the primary justification for martial engagement, with state honor an important secondary matter. Bellamy (2006) states, "Even wars fought for glory must be motivated by the desire to live in peace, and Cicero insisted that such wars be prosecuted with less brutality than wars for survival" (p. 19). Here we see that expansion and conquest were meant as a way of augmenting peace, order, and justice, not for merely acquiring the material possession of land or resources. In other words, conquest served a higher moral purpose. Cicero gives voice to this ideology that if the empire provided for greater peace, then it was a positive and justifiable move to dominate those outside of Rome. Cicero based his view on the idea that the state must maintain equilibrium between nature and law so that justice and happiness may be pursued (Bellamy, 2006, p. 19)."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Bellamy, A. J. (2006). Just wars: From Cicero to Iraq. Cambridge: Polity.
  • Chaniotis, A. (2005). War in the Hellenistic world: A social and cultural history. Oxford: Blackwell.
  • Feldman, N. (2006). War and reason in Maimonides and Averroes. In R. Sorabji & D. Rodin (Eds.), The ethics of war: Shared problems in different traditions (pp. 92-107). Burlington, VT: Ashgate Publishing.
  • Firestone, R. (1999). Jihad: The origin of holy war in Islam. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Gerges, F. A. (2005). The far enemy: Why jihad went global. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

Just War Theory and Jihad (2013, January 17) Retrieved May 28, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/just-war-theory-and-jihad-152250/

MLA Format

"Just War Theory and Jihad" 17 January 2013. Web. 28 May. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/just-war-theory-and-jihad-152250/>

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