Bellum Justum e a justificativa da guerra : um dilema na política internacional

Abstract

In Political Philosophy the war issue is fundamental to understanding the very meaning of Politics is in its essence. The object of this thesis is a particular kind of war: the Just War. Having as the main objective to build rational criteria that determines how should a state declare war and how should the combatants behave at the battlefield, the Just War concept have been used by contemporary leaders to justify wars and make it seem legit to international public opinion. These justifications are based on three traditions: Natural Law, International Law and Realism. Finally, the central objective of this thesis is, primarily, demonstrate that these three apparently opposite theories should be thought together in order to make this criteria effective. And, afterwards, demonstrate that Rawls’ International Political Theory is the closest one in reconcile theses sub-traditions.