The Ethics of Peace and War

Looks at the role of 3 theories – cosmopolitanism, internationalism and political realism – in armed conflict

The ethics of peace and war is one of the central ethical issues in International Relations today. Arguing in favour of cosmopolitanism, with its emphasis on the equal worth of all human beings, Iain Atack shows this theory has a vital role to play in international politics in light of changing conceptions of peace and security, the prevalence of civil wars over international wars and the increasing emphasis on justifying military force as humanitarian intervention.

• Examines two contrasting positions on the ethics of war and armed conflict: pacifism and just war theory
• Analyses contemporary issues and debates including postmodern and asymmetrical war, and peace-building and conflict prevention
• Unpacks the ambiguous role of the state in controlling and justifying the use of military force and in constructing a new cosmopolitan world order