War & Self-Defence

When is it right to go to war? The most persuasive answer to this question has always been ''in self-defense''. In a penetrating new analysis bringing together moral philosophy political science and law David Rodin shows what''s wrong with this answer. He proposes a comprehensive new theory of the right of self-defense which resolves many of the perplexing questions that have dogged both jurists and moral philosophers. By applying the theory of self-defense to international relations Rodin produces a far-reaching critique of the canonical Just War theory. The simple analogy between self-defense and national defense - between the individual and the state - needs to be fundamentally rethought and with it many of the basic elements of international law and the ethics of international relations.