An Encyclopedia of War and Ethics: [Hardcover]

Donald A. Wells (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0313291160 | ISBN-13: 978-0313291166

This is the first encyclopedia that critically surveys the ethics of warmaking from a variety of perspectives. Historically, efforts to curb the havoc of war have confronted three military maxims: military necessity, the right of reprisal, and the obligation of soldiers to obey superior orders. The medieval efforts of "just war" theorists to protect the innocent, avoid needless havoc, and prohibit excessive weapons rarely affected military practice. Modern congresses have pointed out the inconsistency in concerns about war crimes or crimes against humanity and the weapons and strategies of modern war. The pressures of the military/industrial complex, the profits to be gained by war production, and the demands of sovereign nationalism contradict such alternative concerns as those raised by the United Nations and the International Red Cross. Noted experts raise basic questions about what is "just" in war, describe the views of historic and contemporary thinkers on ethical matters, survey practices at different periods, and discuss key issues. The over 250 entries arranged in alphabetical order cover efforts to curb the havoc of war from medieval to modern times, from accidental war to Zagreb Resolution, different religious perspectives, genocide, UN peacekeeping, and much more. Sources for further reading accompany the entries, and internal cross-references and an index make this major reference easily accessible to students and teachers in military, peace, and world affairs studies.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Wells has recruited 45 philosophers, political scientists, legal and military experts, and other scholars for this collection of nearly 250 signed articles. Each is followed by a bibliography of 1^-10 entries (including a number of 1994 titles). The bibliographies provide evidence of recent monographs (e.g., Paul Christopher's The Ethics of War and Peace, Prentice-Hall, 1994), but we are unaware of any encyclopedias covering the same ground as this new one. An index is followed by a list of contributors with their affiliations and selected publications.

Articles are clearly written, with a minimum of jargon, and are heavy on historical context. For example, Wells' enlightening but macabre Military Jargon describes the use of euphemism and obfuscation to justify American defense (formerly war) budgets and to mask Nazi atrocities; Ellen Boneparth's Homosexuality traces American thought and policy from World War II through the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Articles range in length from about one-half page (e.g., Summary Execution, Vera Brittain, Martens Clause) to four or more pages (e.g., Nuremberg Trials, Nuclear Deterrence, Just War, Peace Studies). While an attempt has been made to be global in scope--there are main entries for each of the major world religions and biographical entries for many non-Americans--an American bias is evident: there are entries for each major American war, but few for conflicts not involving Americans. The Bolshevik Revolution is only mentioned in Civil Disobedience and Cold War, while the Boer War is referred to in Amnesty and Concentration Camps. Escaping mention even in the index are the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, and the French Revolution, among other major conflicts. Cross-references are abundant within articles (indicated by asterisks), after each article, and within the alphabetical arrangement.

Recommended for academic and large public libraries.

Review

“In this source, 45 contributors offer concise definitions, summaries, and overviews of hundreds of names and terms in the literature of ethics and warfare.”–Choice

“Wells has recruited 45 philospohers, political scientists, legal and military experts, and other shcolars for this collection of nearly 250 signed articles....we are unaware of any encyclopedias covering the same ground as this new one....Articles are clearly written, with a minimum of jargon, and are heavy on historical context....Recommended for academic and large public libraries,”–Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin

“The editor and forty-four other contributors, including many leadings experts, offer nearly three hundred entries in the huge overlap of two large subjects. The essays are clearly written, rich with information, and augmented with brief bibliographical recommendations for further reading.”–Naval War College Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 552 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (March 30, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313291160
• ISBN-13: 978-0313291166
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,329,687 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)