Just and Unjust Wars

by Michael Walzer

Published 28 January 1978
This classic work examines the issues surrounding military theory, war crimes, and the spoils of war from the Athenian attack on Melos to the My Lai massacre. . A classic treatment of the morality of war written by one of our countrys leading philosophers, with a new introduction considering the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo. Just and Unjust Wars examines a variety of conflicts in order to understand exactly why, according to Walzer,the argument about war and justice is still a political and moral necessity. Walzers classic work draws on historical illustrations that range all the way from the Athenian attack on Melos to this mornings headlines, and uses the testimony of participantsdecision makers and victims aliketo examine the moral issues of warfare.