What are the origins of Just-war conditions - Essay Example

The concept of just war has been in practice since ancient times. A just war is defined as one that fulfills the requirements that are set forth by the global community and global peace enacting organizations such as United Nations.In the ancient times, its origin can be traced to Saint Augustine and Aquinas, on other accounts it can be traced to the Indian history. Their historic book Mahabharata can be studied to investigate the presence of the concept of just war. School of Salamanca also defined the concept of a just war.

Francisco de Vitoria and Hugo Grotius who are few of the expert jurists of international law gave a definition and concept of the just war (Rengger, 73).In the modern times, two significant entities that defined the just war were the Concert of Europe in the 19th century. In the 20th century A.D, the League of Nations that was established after the end of First World War, for the first time gave formal definition, approval and recognition to a just war. A just war may be engaged into in two ways.

Either launching an offensive against a given state or forces, or taking measures in defensive purposes and initiating a war in response. In the very latest context of the global community, the actions of United Nations Security Council can be termed as a grant towards a just war. If it feels any action has been taken or if so taken would violate the norms of international engagement and global peace, it is termed as an unjust war.References:Rengger, Nicholas. Just War and International Order: The Uncivil Condition in World Politics.

Cambridge University Press, 2013