Military Necessity and Just War Statecraft: The Principle of National Security Stewardship

The concept of military necessity is a vital moral principle for leaders, recognized in the manuals of modern militaries and the war convention. This book argues that it should be returned to just war thinking and lays out the argument for doing so, with case studies pointing out the practical moral dimensions of military necessity in cases from the targeted killing of terrorists to battlefield decisions that led to the use of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima.

Format: Hardback
Length: 170 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The concept of military necessity and just war thinking is explored in great detail in this comprehensive and thought-provoking book. The author argues that these principles should be regarded as essential moral guidelines for leaders in times of conflict.

Military necessity is a well-established concept in the manuals of modern militaries and is recognized by the war convention. It refers to the idea that battlefield commanders must make every effort to win on a local battlefield, within legal means, and using proportionate and discriminating weapons and tactics. Every legal textbook on war includes military necessity as a foundational principle within the jus in bello (ethics of fighting war), alongside principles of proportionality and distinction. It is taught in every Western military academy.

However, it is surprising that the concept of military necessity is missing from the literature of almost any just war thinker in philosophy, theology, or the social sciences. This volume seeks to rectify this by bringing military necessity back into the just war thinking framework. Each contributor taps into one of the many dimensions of military necessity, such as its relationship to jus ad bellum (ethics of going to war) categories, its relationship to jus in bello categories, or its application in foreign policy and military doctrine.

Case studies in the book provide practical examples of the moral dimensions of military necessity in situations ranging from the targeted killing of terrorists to battlefield decisions that led to the use of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima. The book will be of interest to students of just war theory, military ethics, statecraft, and international relations.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the study of military ethics and just war thinking. It demonstrates that the concept of military necessity is not only relevant but also essential in understanding the moral implications of warfare. By bringing military necessity back into the just war framework, the book provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the ethical challenges that leaders face in times of conflict.

Weight: 571g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032487090