
War, Peace and Human Rights
In this unit we ask whether it is ever right to go to war. We look at one tradition that provides a justification for going to war - Just War Theory. We also consider the view that it is always wrong to engage in war - Pacifism.
This leads to a discussion about the use of violence, and we consider how some people have used non-violent methods to achieve their goals.
We also look at Human Rights, with a particular focus on those who have had their basic rights abused. This includes people locked up for their beliefs - prisoners of conscience.
Finally we look at those who have broken the law, and ask how best to respond. Why do we punish criminals, and does it work?
Key Terms:
Holy war: Some religions have claimed that wars can be holy if they are fought in the name of God.
Pacifism: Refusal to use violence or to fight in wars.
Conscientious Objector: Person who refuses, on the basis of conscience, to fight in a war. COs can serve in non-combatant roles, e.g. stretcher-bearer. CO does not have to be a pacifist, he may just object to a particular war.
Prisoner of conscience: Someone imprisoned for what they believe or who they are, not for what they have done.
Fact file
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Causes and effects of war
Humans have a violent streak in their nature, probably because of fighting for survival for thousands of years. The main causes of war today are:
- Politics / ideology e.g. Communism Vs Capitalism
- Religion e.g. Protestant Vs Catholic, Muslim Vs Jew
- Nationalism e.g. Getting rid of a foreign rule
- Race / ethnicity e.g. Serb Vs Croat
- Lust for power / money e.g. Seizing land of other nations, e.g. Hitler
- Revenge e.g. Being defeated in a previous war
- Economics e.g. Fighting to provide better resources for own people
- Injustice e.g. Fighting an oppressive situation or regime, fighting for justice
- Fear e.g. Defence against a threatening military enemy
- A powerful individual/group e.g. a dictator who tries to rule others by force
The main effects of war are:
- Millions of deaths – more than 30,000 people die every month because of war.
- Many die because countries spend money on weapons, not clean water, food, health or education.
- Massive environmental damage.
- 90% of victims in war are innocent civilians –
- Massive refugee crisis (e.g. Afghanistan today), resulting in starvation, misery and death.