50 pages • 1 hour read
Michael WalzerJust and Unjust Wars: A Moral Argument With Historical Illustrations
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1976A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1280L