Morality, Jus Post Bellum, and International Law

Leading legal, political and moral theorists discuss the normative issues that arise when war concludes and when a society strives to regain peace.

Larry May (Edited by), Andrew Forcehimes (Edited by)

9781107697447, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2014

282 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.38 kg

This collection of essays brings together some of the leading legal, political and moral theorists to discuss the normative issues that arise when war concludes and when a society strives to regain peace. In the transition from war, mass atrocity or a repressive regime, how should we regard the idea of democracy and human rights? Should regimes be toppled unless they are democratic or is it sufficient that these regimes are less repressive than before? Are there moral reasons for thinking that soldiers should be relieved of responsibility so as to advance the goal of peace building? And how should we regard the often conflicting goals of telling the truth about what occurred in the past and allowing individuals to have their day in court? These questions and more are analyzed in detail. It also explores whether jus post bellum itself should be a distinct field of inquiry.

1. Post-conflict truth telling: exploring extended territory Margaret Walker
2. Reparations, restitution, and transitional justice Larry May
3. Addressing atrocity at the local level: community based approaches to transitional justice in Central Africa Phil Clark
4. Timor-Leste and transitional justice: should we pursue international prosecutions for the crimes committed in East Timor in 1999? Jovana Davidovic
5. Justice after war: economic actors, economic crimes, and the moral imperative for accountability after war Joanna Kyriakakis
6. Child soldiers, transitional justice, and the architecture of post bellum settlements Mark A. Drumbl
7. Our soldiers, right or wrong: the postwar treatment of troops C. A. J. Coady
8. Democratization and just cause Robert Talisse
9. Skepticism about jus post bellum Seth Lazar
10. Law and the jus post bellum: counseling caution Robert Cryer
11. Conclusion Andrew Forcehimes and Larry May.

Subject Areas: International humanitarian law [LBBS], Jurisprudence & philosophy of law [LAB], Law [L]