Arguing About War

Arguing about War is a collection of essays written by Michael Walzer on the topic of just war theory. Even though these essays were written separately years apart, they are organized in such a way as to present a coherent narrative. Walzer begins with five essays that deal specifically with theory. The next section contains six chapters devoted to explaining the theory using real world events.

While there is nothing truly ground breaking about this book, it is an interesting attempt to bring a centuries-old philosophy into the modern world of terrorism and humanitarian intervention. Given the drastic changes that have occurred in warfare over the centuries, one could be excused for thinking that just war theory has little relevance to show more the modern world. As Walzer shows with these essays, though, if one looks at just war theory as a guiding moral framework instead of as a law set in stone, then it can have great relevance to contemporary international relations. show less

For the first time since his classic just and unjust wars was published almost 30 years ago, this volume brings together provocative arguments by preeminent political theorist Michael Walzer on contemporary military conflicts – including the Iraq war – and the ethical issues they raise. - from the publisher