Exam 15: War: Politics by Other Means

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The five postulates of the just war doctrine are:

1. Just Cause: The war must be fought for a morally justifiable reason, such as self-defense or the defense of innocent people.

2. Right Intention: The primary goal of the war must be to restore peace and justice, rather than to gain territory or resources.

3. Proper Authority: The decision to go to war must be made by a legitimate authority, such as a government or international organization.

4. Last Resort: All peaceful options must be exhausted before resorting to war.

5. Proportionality: The use of force must be proportional to the harm being inflicted, and the overall good being sought must outweigh the harm caused by the war.

The US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11 has been a subject of debate regarding whether it qualifies as a just war.

In the case of Afghanistan, the US initially had a just cause in responding to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and seeking to dismantle the Taliban regime that harbored the perpetrators. However, the prolonged nature of the conflict and the expansion of goals beyond self-defense have raised questions about the right intention and proportionality of the war.

In the case of Iraq, the just war doctrine has been even more controversial. The primary justification for the war was the belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, which turned out to be false. This raises questions about the just cause and proper authority for the war.

Overall, the US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11 does not fully qualify as just wars according to the just war doctrine. While there may have been initial just causes, the prolonged nature of the conflicts, the expansion of goals, and the lack of proper authority and proportionality have undermined the justifiability of these wars.

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Total war is a concept in which a nation mobilizes all of its resources, both military and civilian, towards the war effort. This includes not only the armed forces, but also the economy, industry, and the population as a whole. In a total war, there are no limitations on the methods or tactics used to achieve victory, and the entire society is involved in the conflict.

The Napoleonic Wars, which took place from 1803 to 1815, were the first example of a total war. This conflict involved not only the armies of the various European powers, but also their economies and populations. The Napoleonic Wars saw the use of conscription, mass mobilization of resources, and the targeting of civilian populations and infrastructure. The war affected all aspects of life in the countries involved, and had a profound impact on the societies and economies of Europe.

In contrast, a limited war is one in which the participants have specific objectives and limitations on the methods and resources used. Limited wars may involve only the armed forces of the belligerent nations, and may have specific geographic or political boundaries. The goal of a limited war is to achieve a specific outcome without necessarily seeking the complete destruction or subjugation of the enemy.

In summary, a total war involves the complete mobilization of a nation's resources and population towards the war effort, with no limitations on methods or tactics. The Napoleonic Wars were the first example of such a conflict, as they involved the full participation of society and the economy in the war effort. This differs from a limited war, which has specific objectives and limitations on the methods and resources used.

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Lenin's view about the cause of war was rooted in his Marxist political worldview. He believed that war was a result of the capitalist system, specifically the competition between imperialist powers for control of markets and resources. According to Lenin, the ruling class in capitalist societies sought to expand their wealth and power through military aggression, leading to conflicts between nations.

This explanation fits into Lenin's political worldview as he was a staunch advocate for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society. He saw war as a product of the inherent contradictions and injustices of the capitalist system, and believed that only through the revolutionary overthrow of the bourgeoisie could war be eliminated.

In contrast, Woodrow Wilson, the President of the United States during World War I, had a different view on the cause of war. Wilson believed that war was caused by autocratic and militaristic governments, and that the establishment of a League of Nations and the promotion of democracy and self-determination could prevent future conflicts. Wilson's explanation focused more on political and governmental structures rather than economic systems.

Despite their differences, there are some similarities between Lenin and Wilson's views on war. Both recognized the destructive nature of war and sought to prevent future conflicts. Additionally, both leaders advocated for international cooperation and the establishment of global institutions to maintain peace. However, their underlying explanations for the cause of war and their proposed solutions were fundamentally different due to their contrasting political ideologies.