Modern Warfare Flashcards
(20 cards)
Causes of war
Territory - gain land and resources
Economic - competition for resources eg oil, water, trade routes to help make money
Dictatorship - overthrow a dictator or a corrupt government
Political - competition for control over the government/political systems - can lead to civil wars
Self Defence - to defend a nation’s honour when they’re under attack
Historical - resolving issues that have happened in the past that have yet to be solved eg seeking justice for past injustices
Religion - to stop religious injustice and defend religious freedom eg Israeli-Palestinian conflict
What is the just war theory?
The idea that war is justifiable if it meets certain criteria. Developed by Aquila’s based on an earlier theory by St Augustine
Criteria for a just war
- Last resort - all other options to solve conflict have not been effective
- Government authorised - lawfully declared eg cannot be declared by terrorists etc
- Justifiable cause - to get rid of a dictator, regime of oppressor or in support of an ally eg NATO
- Reasonable chance of success - don’t declare war for the sake of it: be fairly confident you will win
- Good outweighs bad/evil - the result of success will be worth the fighting/loss
- Proportionality - even forces: one side must not be significantly weaker/stronger army
- Innocent civilians - should not be killed or harmed
- Peace must be restored - must be an end to the war
Is the just war theory still relevant? YES
- although it was developed by Christian thinkers, it can be used for every faith, or none
- provides useful framework for (political) groups to discuss possible wars and see whether or not it can be justified
- showing that war is wrong except in some circumstances can motivate states to find other ways of resolving conflict
- when wars are fought to protect people it could be seen as ‘love your neighbours’ Matthew 22
Is the just war theory still relevant? NO
- trying to justify war is immoral. Morality must always oppose deliberate violence, but the theory makes it acceptable
-unrealistic in modern warfare. Weapons of mass destruction requires a different approach that this theory as they can’t be controlled eg innocent civilians could be killed - war can be used to oppose terrorism. Terrorists are not interested in morality and if someone tries to follow the theory they will only be disadvantaged
- if the cause of war is just then no restrictions should be placed on it
Chemical weapons of mass destruction
A chemical or poisson is use as a weapon to burn of paralyse humans of harm the natural environment
Biological weapons of mass destruction
A harmful germ or virus is used as a weapon to cause death or disease
Nuclear weapons of mass desctruction
A weapon or bomb that uses nuclear energy to cause an explosion and can kill millions instantly
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Established in 1970. Gave rules for the use and distribution of nuclear weapons in an attempt to encourage disarmament
Are nuclear weapons a deterrent? YES
- intimidates other countries so that they dont attack for threat it will be used against them
- the consequences/destruction of the nuclear weapons will put people off using them
- gives the means to bargain - they will give up their weapons if the other country does the same
Are nuclear weapons a deterrent? NO
- the more countries with a nuclear weapon, the more likely that they will be used
- the money spent on nuclear weapons could be spent on education/healthcare/poverty
- can be very dangerous in the hands of a dictator
Economic costs of war
TOURISM - travel restrictions into countries with war, security concerns means tourism drops
MILITARY - costly/expensive to prepare for war eg weapons and tanks, can lead to country being in debt
GOVERNMENT DEBT - borrowing money from another country to finance the war eg Britain borrowing from America in WW2, having to pay it back may leave country financially unstable
INFRASTRUCTURE - buildings eg businesses and schools are destroyed, leave people unemployed, costly to rebuild
TRADE - disruption of goods eg routes/roads blocked, inflation, cause living standard to drop
Human cost of war
PSYCHOLOGICAL - emotional trauma eg PTSD
CIVILIANS - loss of life eg bomb raids in cities, lack of clean water etc leads to illness, psychologically affected in mental health, children lose infancy and education
REFUGEES - someone leaving their country due to war (forced out), leaving family/friends/culture behind, eg can’t speak language so can’t get a job
CHILD SOLDIERS - use of children under 15 is a war crime, used for fighting/spies/messengers/servants/sexual purposes, exploitation of children
MILITARY - military deaths, suicide, eg Vietnam war ‘’cannon fodder” was when black people would be put on the front line to die which left black families in poverty
Pacifism
The belief that war and violence are not a solution to conflict - peaceful methods should be used instead
Absolute pacifism
War is. Never acceptable under any circumstances - nothing can justify the taking of human life
Conditional pacifism
Under some circumstances was is acceptable - violence may have a better or more effective outcome that using peaceful methods
Selective pacifism
There are different levels of war/violence, some being more acceptable than others - some selective pacifist may be against eg nuclear weapons
Christian pacifism
Many Christians are pacifists as they believe Jesus’ teaching aligns with pacifism
Is pacifism a realistic option today? Can it work within the violent society we live in? YES
- Jesus’ teaching supported pacifism
- if killing is wrong then war is too - mass murder
- Sermon on the Mount thought violence should not be met with more violence
- there could be other things to replace armed conflict eg peace treaties, negotiations or economic sanctions
Is pacifism a realistic option today? Can it work within the violent society we live in? NO
- pacifist methods eg strikes/sanctions/demonstrations are not immediately effective
- dictators must sometimes be fought to defeat eg Hitler
- in the Bible God gave his approval for wars to be fought - armed conflict can be justified
- violent and aggressive attacks on countries wont stop unless they fight back
