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Document Details :

Title: Practical Pacifism, jus in bello, and citizen responsibility
Subtitle: The case of Iraq
Author(s): FIALA, Andrew
Journal: Ethical Perspectives
Volume: 13    Issue: 4   Date: December 2006   
Pages: 673-697
DOI: 10.2143/EP.13.4.2018714

Abstract :
This article discusses how ordinary citizens might apply principles of jus in bello. It reaches a sceptical conclusion about citizens’ capacity to apply these principles and connects this with a practical approach to pacifism or, what might also be called, just-war pacifism. This discussion is oriented around events in the war in Iraq including the use of cluster bombs and the commission of war crimes. It uses these events to discuss the question of jus in bello and to also address the question of responsibility. The article argues that in a democracy responsibility citizen vigilance is required to ensure adherence to principles of jus in bello. The article critically engages recent discussions of just-war theory by Weigel, Walzer, Rawls, Elshtain, and others.

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