The Return of Bellum Justum and the Ethical Challenges of Conflicts

Abstract

The article examines the return of the bellum justum (just war) doctrine in the modern context, focusing on the theoretical proposal of Michael Walzer. Walzer argues that certain wars can be morally justified if waged to defend human rights and restore justice, an approach that contrasts with the post-World War logic of jus contra bellum, which promotes an absolute prohibition of war except in cases of legitimate self-defense. The ethical dilemma of American interventionist universalism is explored, as military interventions to export democracy raise concerns about national sovereignty and the risk of Western cultural hegemony being imposed globally. The article evaluates how the resurgence of bellum justum may become a problematic justification for unilateral interventions, prompting critiques on the legitimacy of a global order based on Western values.