50 pages • 1 hour read
Just and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument With Historical Illustrations
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Book Brief
400
Book • Nonfiction
1970s
1976
Adult
18+ years
1280L
Super Short Summary
In Just and Unjust Wars, Michael Walzer explores the moral evaluation of war, arguing against the realist paradigm that places no restrictions on warfare, instead setting criteria for justifications of war (jus ad bellum) and conduct in war (jus in bello). He outlines legitimate cases for wartime intervention and condemns targeting noncombatants and employing terror tactics, proposing a stringent moral framework to decide the justice of war actions. The book addresses potentially distressing themes such as war crimes, terrorism, and nuclear warfare.
Informative
Contemplative
Challenging
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
3,071 ratings
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Review Roundup
Michael Walzer's Just and Unjust Wars is widely praised for its profound analysis of morality in war, blending theory with historical examples. Critics commend its accessible writing and stimulating arguments, though some note the interpretations of cases can be selective. Nonetheless, the book is celebrated as essential reading in ethics and international relations.
Who Should Read Just and Unjust Wars?
Readers of Just and Unjust Wars by Michael Walzer are typically academics, military ethicists, and political science enthusiasts who are interested in the moral philosophy of war. Comparable to audiences of On War by Carl von Clausewitz and The Republic by Plato, they appreciate rigorous ethical debates and historical case studies.
3,071 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Former British prime minister whose wartime decisions are analyzed, critiqued, and sometimes justified based on their adherence to war conventions.
Thucydides
Thucydides
An ancient Greek historian whose work is interpreted as a representation of realist thought in international relations, offering contrasting views to the moral arguments presented.
The Nazi Regime
The Nazi Regime
A genocidal regime whose defeat in World War II is used to discuss the stakes and moral complexities involved in wartime actions and decisions.
Karl von Clausewitz
Karl von Clausewitz
A Prussian military theorist known for emphasizing the extremities of war, with his ideas challenged in terms of the need for moral consideration.
General William Tecumseh Sherman
General William Tecumseh Sherman
A Union general during the American Civil War whose destructive campaign is scrutinized for its ethical implications despite being on the side of justice.
President Harry Truman
President Harry Truman
A U.S. president known for his controversial decision to use nuclear bombs in World War II, whose actions are critiqued for their moral assumptions and justifications.
400
Book • Nonfiction
1970s
1976
Adult
18+ years
1280L
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