Prof. Olanrewaju Olu-Adeyemi

Theories of War This entry provides a sample of the rich and controversial argumentation surrounding philosophical discourse on war. This discourse is dominated by three major traditions of thought: just war theory (and its international law subsidiary); realism; and pacifism. The interaction between these three traditions structures the contemporary discussion of wartime issues, at the same time as it fuels fascinating debate about them. While just war theory occupies an especially large and influential space within the discourse, its realist and pacifist alternatives endure as provocative challenges to the philosophical mainstream which it represents. 1. Just War Theory Just war theory is probably the most influential perspective on the ethics of war and peace. The just war tradition has enjoyed a long and distinguished pedigree, including such notables as Augustine, Aquinas, Grotius, Suarez, Vattel and Vitoria. Hugo Grotius is probably the most comprehensive and formidable class

Root causes of war 1. Culture of violence The culture of violence pervades our society, glorifying war rather than educating for peace, nonviolence, and international cooperation. 2. Globalization Economic globalization has marginalized broad sections of the world’s population, further widening the gap between rich and poor. 3. Use of environmental resources The use of environmental resources is neither sustainable nor un-equitable. The world’s dominant consumers are overwhelmingly concentrated among the well off, but the environmental damage from it falls most severely on the poor. 4.Colonialism and neo-colonialism Indigenous and un-represented peoples are suffering from the suppression of their right to self-determination, ethnic and cultural genocide, the violation of their cultural, language and religious freedoms, and the militarisation and nuclearisation of their lives, lands and waters. 5. Racial, ethnic, religious, and gender intolerance Ethnic, religious and racial i