That's the just war theory as it is actually practiced. Robert Parham, a Baptist ethicist, says that US intervention in Libya fails to meet the criteria for "just war." (Say, were there any complaints from baptist circles about any of George W. Bush's wars? Just asking.)
The tenets of the so-called "just war" are: (1) the reason for the conflict must be just, (2) there must be significant injustice taking place, (3) only legitimate authority can declare a war, (4) there must be "right intention", (5) and a strong probability of success, (6) only as a last resort, and (7) and to be exercised with "proportionality."
As has been well-documented by many, there has never been any war that met the criteria of "just war."
Cicero is credited with coming up with the idea. There's irony for you: a noble Roman, whose empire was attained entirely through conquest, and is still doing so, decides that it's time to talk about "just war."
One notes that Christian theorists about "just war"--Augustine and Ambrose--emerge only after the empire has become officially Christian, as if to say: Forget that early pacifism. We're in charge now. It's time to start baptizing those wars!
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