Hitting Below the Belt: Moral and Legal Barriers to the Pursuit of Risk-Free Conflict (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781288280711)

This study addresses moral and legal barriers to the use of new technologies in warfare, the impact of conduct in war upon the concept of just warfare, and the possible dangers of pursuing risk-free combat through ranged warfare and technology. The study assumes that the public must approve US weapon systems, at least in retrospect, if they are to be maintained in our arsenals and employed in war. It furthermore assumes that if left unchecked, US military services will continue to pursue weapons that minimize risk to friendly forces and maximize risk to opposing forces. This research uses seven different weapons and tactics in history selectively to illuminate the barriers to technology. Furthermore, this study offers no ready "solution" to the paradox created by pursuing risk-free warfare and the resultant hostility it elicits in America's foes. The body of this research begins with an introduction to international law, just war theory, limited war, and the legalist paradigm. It then proceeds to analyze landmines, fire bombing, chemical weapons and nuclear weapons in order to illustrate Michael Walzer's four responses to the tension between jus ad bellum and jus in bello.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.