The Problem of Intervention.
Abstract
As evidence in Bosnia, Iraq, and now more vividly in Kosovo, the threat of force or sanctions, or even promised aid is not sufficient for resolving conflict or ending genocide. A military humanitarian intervention might be the only means of ending the suffering. Yet, we must ask ourselves, "is any intervention ever justified?" Historically, there are many different examples of intervention: some include outright invasion, while others involve covert support of one group, or state, over another. However, intervention does not always require direct application of force, for solely political motives - agencies often conduct interventions for humanitarian reasons. If such a humanitarian intervention is justified, then what about it makes it justified? Part of the difficulty of attempting to justify international intervention is that there is a vague and unusable definition of "intervention." Without a workable definition, there can be no basis for agreement on international laws covering interventions. Furthermore, contradicting legal precedents, different moral and prudential views, and a general lack of political will exacerbates the problem of intervention. Nevertheless, I believe there is a workable definition for "intervention" and there are specific conditions for identifying an intervention as humanitarian. There also already exists a legal precedent for justified intervention under international law. Furthermore, there are ample moral grounds to argue for intervention - whether one believes an act morally right based on moral maxims or purely as a result of their consequences, one can make a moral argument for intervention. The question left to be answered is, "Is the intervention justified?" Using the Just War tenets, modified for intervention, provides the necessary conditions to answer the justification question. We can no longer stand idle while others suffer their inhuman fates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA362635
Entities
People
- David M. Barnes
Organizations
- University of Massachusetts Amherst