The Just Cause Principle
In the seven jus ad bellum principles, the one that I find most compelling is the “just cause.” The “Just Cause” principle is the most convincing because it supports the right to self-defence against aggression in assisting the attacked allies as the probable justification for war.
A State has the right to enter a war with the enemy on the condition of righting of wrongs on the threat exposed. On the contrary, the principle that I find least compelling is the “legitimate authority.” The legitimate authority is intended to help stop wars between rival factions and families and ensure that war is bestowed on the safe hands of lawful authorities, but this has not been the case. Instead, the legitimate authorities have been the main perpetrators of war using illegally formed criminal groups.
The Proportionality Principle
In the three jus in bello principles, the one I find most compelling is “proportionality.” Proportionality, unlike discrimination which seeks to justify conflict, advocates for ensuring that an act needs to be appropriate and rather not excessive in order to make violence permissible based on its cause and intention.
Conversely, the principle that I find least compelling is the “military necessity.” The principle requires that an act needs to be militarily justified so as to be effective. However, there are challenges of proportionality and discrimination since military necessity has a likelihood of resulting in civilian casualties.
The Relation between ad bellum and in bello considerations
The relation that is evident between the ad bellum and in bello considerations is that, in both the principles, there is an aspect of trying to justify war or conflict whether or not it has a probable and justifiable cause. However, it is important to understand that a just war can at times be fought unjustly. In this context, such a scenario would make it into an unjust war because the means cannot justify the end. In other words, even if the war is a just one but unjust means is used, this makes the war completely unjust regardless of fighting for a positive achievement.
