Just War: Principles and Cases

Bringing just war doctrine to life, Richard J. Regan raises a host of difficult questions about the evils of war, asking first and foremost whether war is ever justified, and, if so, for what purposes? Regan considers the basic principles of just war theory and applies those principles to historical and ongoing conflicts through case studies and discussion questions. His well-received 1996 work is updated with the addition of case studies on Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Islamist terrorist organizations. Especially timely are the added discussions of the use of drones to assassinate terrorist leaders and, in the matter of weapons of mass destruction, asking how certain is "certain enough" that a country has weapons of mass destruction before it can be justly attacked? Regan considers the roles of the president, Congress, and the U.N. Security Council in determining when long-term U.S. military involvement is justified.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Richard J. Regan, a Jesuit priest, attended Harvard Law School and received his doctorate in political science from the University of Chicago. He is emeritus professor of political science at Fordham University. Regan is the author of several books, most recently Aquinas: A Summary of Philosophy; and the translator of numerous works by Thomas Aquinas, including The Cardinal Virtues, Compendium of Theology, and Commentary on Aristotle's Politics.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"Just War: Principles and Cases is clear, concise, and cogently argued. It belongs in the libraries of legislators and military men alike―anyone however remotely involved in deciding when a nation should go to war. Regan carefully considers all sides, every nuance of every question."―U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings

"The book is valuable in exploring the complexity in the context of modern war. The case studies force the reader to apply the theory to war as it is in reality, not war as we might want it to be in the ideal."―Journal of Church and State

"A readable, insightful, and provocative treatment of just-war thinking as it applies to historical and ongoing conflicts. . . . Regan's book is an excellent choice for courses on the morality of war and the challenge of peace."―Theological Studies

"This book is well conceived, lucidly written, and shows an admirable blend of the moral, legal, and historical materials essential to assessing war thoroughly."―International Philosophical Quarterly