Running Head: DISTINCTION BETWEEN PREVENTIVE AND PREEMPTIVE WAR

Distinction between Preventive and Preemptive War

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Running Head: DISTINCTION BETWEEN PREVENTIVE AND PREEMPTIVE WAR

Given Cicero’s criteria for a just war described in your text, would preventive wars, such

as the war in Iraq, be considered just wars? Why or why not?

Given Cicero’s criteria for a just war in my text, preventive wars such as the Iraq war

would be considered just wars. According to Cicero, a war is never taken on by the faultless state

except in defense of its honor or safety. War can only be considered just if it has been

proclaimed and declared, and if repatriation has first been demanded (Joe et al 2007). For

instance war in Iraq was justified for many reasons. First, Iraq had high potential of building

weapons of mass destruction according to early reports of intelligence before the beginning of

the second invasion in Iraq in 2003. It was also a large breeding ground for terrorists groups

such as Al Qaeda. America had witnessed the horrific acts of violence on their soil with the

attacks on the twin towers and the pentagon which made them have no choice but to eventually

react in defense of the county’s honor and safety. The national security of America was a direct

threat from these terrorist breeding grounds which targeted American interests, soil and allies.

Unjust wars are undertaken without provocation. President Bush had to prevent such further

attacks by bringing the fight to the terrorist-sponsored countries.

Would Hobbes consider preventive wars to be just wars?

Hobbes would consider preventive wars to be just wars. He felt that people would be

inclined to seek out peace because life in the state of nature is so terrible and unstable. For

instance, Iraq should have benefited from war as they had the opportunity to re-establish their

own government to their liking for its citizens. Unfortunately, they have a long standing of major

corruption in their country. The people of Iraq were hoping the country’s downward turn

because of war would eventually have an upward swing and greatly benefit from it because they

came together to try and maintain peace for the future.

Running Head: DISTINCTION BETWEEN PREVENTIVE AND PREEMPTIVE WAR

Stability was a constant issue due to heavy Iranian battle with Al Qaeda. Due to

corruption, the government could not run at its true capacity to serve the people. Hobbes would

have liked the fact that Iraq was coming together after the initial invasion of the war which

started in 2003.

What about Gandhi? Would he consider either preemptive or preventive wars to be just?

Gandhi was a deeply spiritual man who lived and died by pacifism, a commitment to

peace and opposition of war. He practiced absolute pacifism which in his eyes required self-

sacrifice to include the ultimatum sacrifice of one owns life. Gandhi would fight back using

methods of nonviolent protests such as his famous the hunger strike. He had started a movement

which was witnessed around the world. From the above description of pacifism and Gandhi’s

strong belief, he would not support any war whatsoever.

Does the distinction between preemptive and preventive war seem ethically legitimate to

you?

The distinction between preemptive and preventive war seems very ethically legitimate to

me. I could see preemptive war start with both North Korea and Iran at one time or other

throughout our future. One bad event between these two countries could cause a massive

downward spiral. The American intelligence will most likely get a jump on this future activity

and make recommendations before these two countries make the first move.

As for the preventive war a good example would be the cold war and the Cuban Missile

Crises. America was ready to go to war if they could not stop the installation of ballistic missiles

by Russia on the island of Cuba. America was vulnerable of a possible attack but it was

peacefully resolved. A preventive war could have started to fend off an attack and reduce
Running Head: DISTINCTION BETWEEN PREVENTIVE AND PREEMPTIVE WAR

casualties. Overall, war is not a good thing and it’s good to figure matters out in a peaceful way

first. War should be used as a last resort.

Running Head: DISTINCTION BETWEEN PREVENTIVE AND PREEMPTIVE WAR

References

Joe B. & Richard J., 2007; Preemptive and Preventive War: A Preliminary Taxonomy.

President George W. Bush, The National Security Strategy of the United States of

America, Washington, DC: The White House, September 2002, p. 15.