Civilian Immunity in War

Author: Igor Primoratz
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199290741
Published In: October 2007
Format: Hardback , 288 pages
Jurisdiction: International ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Description
Contents
Author

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Eleven specially commissioned essays on an issue of pressing public concern
Reliable, informative, and thought-provoking treatment of the ethics and legality of war
Fills a gap in the scholarly literature
Excellent international line-up of contributors
Perspectives from philosophy, politics, law, and history

The protection of noncombatants from deadly violence is the centrepiece of any account of ethical and legal constraints on war. It was a major achievement of moral progress from early modern times to World War I. Yet it has been under constant attrition since - perhaps never more so than in our time, with its 'new wars', the spectre of weapons of mass destruction, and the global terrorism alert.

Civilian Immunity in War

, written in collaboration by eleven authors, provides the first comprehensive analysis of all main aspects of this highly topical subject. It considers the arguments for rejection of civilian immunity and the main theories of the grounds and proper scope of this immunity, both deontological (just war theory) and consequentialist. Separate chapters examine the historical development of the idea of civilian immunity, its standing in current international law, and the problem of "collateral damage": of harming civilians without intent, as a side-effect of attacks on military targets. The volume also addresses a string of specific issues. Civilian immunity has undergone much attrition with the development of air warfare and the tendency of military conflict to degenerate into "total" war. On the other hand, modern military technology with its precision guidance missiles and "smart" bombs opens up the possibility of restricting deadly violence to its proper targets and staying clear of civilian life, limb, and property. Another pressing issue is the fate of women in war in light of mass rapes characteristic of some 'new wars'.

Readership: Scholars and students of philosophy, politics, and law; anyone with an interest in the ethics and legality of war

Acknowledgements

Notes on the contributors

Introduction

Part one

1: Igor Primoratz: Civilian immunity in war: its grounds, scope and weight

2: Uwe Steinhoff: Civilians and soldiers

3: Colm McKeogh: Civilian immunity in war: from Augustine to Vattel

4: David Kretzmer: Civilian immunity in war: legal aspects

5: Seumas Miller: Civilian immunity, forcing the choice and collective responsibility

6: C.A.J. (Tony) Coady: Collateral immunity in war and terrorism

Part two

7: Stephen A. Garrett: Air power and non-combatant immunity: the road to Dresden