Just War Theory: When is a

War Just?
• In the Middle Ages St.Thomas Aquinas developed the
“Just War Theory” not to justify war but to limit its scope
and methods.
1. The cause must be just.
2. It must be undertaken by a legitimate authority
3. The intention must be right.
4. It must be a last resort.
5. There must be a declaration of war.
6. There must be reasonable hope of success.
7. The good that it hopes to achieve must outweigh the evil
produced (the criteria of proportionality).
8. Non-Combatants must be immune from attack. 1