what conditions need to be in place to justify a war?

Answer 1

just cause: The reason for going to war needs to be just and can therefore be recapturing things taken or punishing people who have done wrong
A contemporary view of just cause was expressed in 1993 when the US Catholic Conference said: "Force may be used only to correct a grave, public evil, i.e., aggression or massive violation of the basic human rights of whole populations"

Comparative justice: While there may be rights and wrongs on all sides of a conflict, to override the presumption against the use of force, the injustice suffered by one party must significantly outweigh that suffered by the other;
Legitimate authority: Only duly constituted public authorities may use deadly force or wage war;
Right intention: Force may be used only in a truly just cause and solely for that purpose—correcting a suffered wrong is considered a right intention, while material gain or maintaining economies is not.
Probability of success: Arms may not be used in a futile cause or in a case where disproportionate measures are required to achieve success;
Last resort: Force may be used only after all peaceful and viable alternatives have been seriously tried and exhausted

Answer 2

I believe a war is only justified when there is a direct and immediate threat to the security of a nation. The vast majority of wars are not justified because they are made on a conquering basis or on false pretenses such as Bush's claim of WMDs in Iraq. The only other justification for a war is to protect and defend a people against genocide. For example I believe the US entering WWII was neccessary for both reasons, I believe that Vietnam and Iraq are unjustified wars for the same reason, there is no immediate threat nor genocide. However the war in Rwanda was necessary. It would be a good idea to send troops to Darfur.

Answer 3

You have partly answered your own question by the framing of it. A 'Just War', that is to say a war that can be justified, has 7 main criteria. These were set out by St Thomas Aquinas who, being an arch plagiarist, merely reworked a set of rules initially put forward by Cicero.

These rules are:
1. It must be authorised by the head of state. 'Ordinary' people or even demagogues (Osama bin Laden?) cannot declare a Just War.
2. Civilians/non-combatants must be protected.
3. It must be fought to promote good and combat evil. This is a difficult one as good and evil are subjective concepts.
4. The war must be 'proportional'. If you attack a country that is throwing stones at yours, then wiping out infrastucture and villages can hardly be termed Just.
5. There must be a reasonable chance of winning.
6. The good gained by fighting the war must be greater than the evil caused by fighting it.
7. As soon as the other side declares peace or surrenders, all aggressive actions must stop.

Answer 4

Any war can be justified. All that is required is a philosophical turn of mind! Whether a war can be rationalised relies upon shared ethical precepts between those arguing for the war and their audience. It is common for one or both sides however to stipulate "causus belli" such as the recapture of Jerusalemin 1098, the invasion of Belgium in 1914 or even "Jenkin's Ear". After that its nominate someone to hold the coats and you are off to the races.

Answer 5

There aren't any SET conditions for war. However, something interesting to note: the President of the United States can send American soldiers into another country to commit acts of war WITHOUT the consent of Congress for thirty days. So, more specifically, in the case of the United States, it only takes one person believing that war is necessary.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

A serious threat to a nation or its people. The exhaustion of diplomatic attempts at solving the problem (if they're impractical or not working than they have been exhausted). A defensive war is almsot always justified, because it is simply one nation defending itself against another one. The aggressor would than be fighting an unjust war.

Answer 7

Every war can be traced to 3 conditions:
1. Resources-which encompasses everything from gold to land to oil to timber or fishing areas. Haves and have nots. Or wants and wants more. However you want to look at it.

2. Ideology-two bodies of people who think differently from each other about how to live. Its funny how many people believe others MUST think and live as they do. Why? Are you me? Am I you? How about we just leave each other alone.(Nah, that will never work. See #3 for reasons why not.)

3. Pride-the pride of a people is a touchy thing at best. Look up British History, The war of Jenkin's Ear.(Hubris is deemed a facet of pride for this discussion.)

That's it. Every war ever fought fits into one of these categories.

Answer 8

Elites scent profit, and sic the army after it. Justification comes later.

You don't even need two willing groups, just one group that's willing, the others try to fight them off.

I suppose you could say that elites are more likely to send the troops abroad when there is unrest of some kind at home, to get the proles to rally round the flag.

Answer 9

In the USA, Congress must vote to authorize a war, but I do not know what the procedure is to bring that motion to the floor...

Answer 10

I do not believe in a just war