The crystallisation of the Just War Theory and its contemporary impact

This article aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the crystallization of Just War Theory and to uncover its contemporary implications. It begins with the Christian conciliation between the concepts of ‘war’ and ‘justice’ and highlights the solutions developed by theologians such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas. It continues with the secularisation of the just war principles by illustrious legal experts such as Francisco de Vitoria, Alberico Gentili and Hugo Grotius. Finally, it emphasises the current wave of scepticism regarding the Just War Theory and culminates with the views shared by Michael Walzer and Noam Chomsky. The arduous process of this study validates the need for the Just War Theory, especially in our contemporary context, ravaged by military conflicts. Additionally, it furnishes crucial ethical rules for assessing both actual and hypothetical wars.