Conspiring with the Enemy: The Ethic of Cooperation in Warfare

Enemies often cooperate to limit violence in warfare, even in the most horrific situations. Yvonne Chiu's book "Conspiring with the Enemy" explores why and how this happens, arguing that an ethic of cooperation is prevalent in modern warfare and is often taken for granted. She examines weapons bans, prisoner treatment, and the Geneva Conventions, and shows how the norms of war rely on consensus on the existence and content of the laws of war.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 08 October 2019
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Despite the significant impact of just war theory in military law and practice, warfare is often perceived as morally devoid. However, even in the most heinous of human endeavors, there is a remarkable instance of communication and cooperation between enemies. One notable example is the Christmas truce, which occurred in December 1914 during World War I. During this unofficial ceasefire, German and English trenches came together, and soldiers even mingled in No Man's Land.

In her book, Conspiring with the Enemy, Yvonne Chiu delves into the compelling reasons and mechanisms behind enemy cooperation in constraining violence during warfare. Chiu argues that a prevalent ethic of cooperation exists in modern warfare, often taken for granted. The significance of cooperation becomes particularly evident when wartime ethics encounter gray areas, such as determining the applicability of the laws of war, defining combatants, and addressing the treatment of guerrillas or terrorists. At its core, Chiu demonstrates that the norms of war rely on consensus on the existence and content of the laws of war.

In a comprehensive examination of pivotal cases of cooperation, Chiu explores various aspects, including weapons bans, the treatment of prisoners of war, and the Geneva Conventions. She also examines the tensions between the ethic of cooperation and the pillars of just war theory. This original exploration of a crucial yet overlooked phenomenon makes a substantial contribution to military ethics and political philosophy.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231182454