The Sword of Justice: Ethics and Coercion in International Politics

by James A. Barry

Overview

Through an examination of the relationship between ethics and international coercion, The Sword of Justice compares the actual practice of the United States to the standards established by the just war framework. Historical cases are considered—from nuclear deterrence, conventional war and humanitarian intervention to covert action, economic sanctions and coercive diplomacy—analyzed from the perspective of the just war tradition to provide practical tools to improve the moral content of policy decisions.

An enduring feature of the international system is the use or threat of force. The most systematic critique of this practice is found in the just war tradition, begun by Augustine and further elaborated by Aquinas. This book explores the relationship between ethics and international coercion by presenting historical case studies in which the United States has taken such measures to achieve their goals, and by comparing the actual practice of the United States to the standards established by the just war framework. Based on the comparison, a number of concrete recommendations are made about specific measures that could strengthen the moral content of policy decisions, and at the same time meet tests of political feasibility in the American system of government.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275960926
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	10/28/1998
Series:	Washington Papers; 176
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

JAMES A. BARRY is Visiting Associate Professor at George Mason University, where he teaches courses in International Politics, American Foreign Policy, and Ethics and International Affairs./e Mr. Barry spent more than 30 years in government service. He was Deputy Chief of the Arms Control Intelligence Staff and Director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence, the CIA's think tank for critical assessments of the profession of intelligence.

Table of Contents

Preface
Ethics and Coercion: A Framework for Evaluation
The Ethics of Nuclear Deterrence: The Reagan Administration versus the American Catholic Bishops
Ethics and Military Force: George Bush and the Persian Gulf War
The Limits of Humanitarian Obligation: The International Community and the Crisis in Burundi
Can Covert Action Be Just? Lessons from U.S. Intervention in Chile
The Ethics of Economic Warfare: The United States and Castro's Cuba
Coercion and Conciliation: The United States and the North Korean Nuclear Program
Sheathing the Sword of Justice
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

The Central Intelligence Agency's Publications Review Board reviewed this book for security. Barry (international politics, George Mason U.), who once served as the director of the Center for the Study of Intelligence, the CIA's think tank, argues that the just-war framework provides a viable middle ground between Kantian idealism and realism for resolving international conflicts. To explore the relationship between ethical argumentation and the coercive measures that nation-states employ, the author presents historical case studies comparing the US espousal of the just-war standard against its actual practices (Reagan vs. the American Catholic Bishops re: nuclear deterrence, the Persian Gulf War, Burundi, Chile, Cuba, and the North Korean Nuclear Program). Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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