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The Morality of Private War

Grant reference: RES-000-22-4042

Journal article details

Title The legitimacy of the military, private military and security companies, and just war theory

Description This article argues that the use of private military and security companies (PMSCs) prompts the need for greater attention to the issue of the moral legitimacy of the military. Accordingly, it proposes a normative conception of legitimacy—the ‘Moderate Instrumentalist Approach’—that outlines the qualities that a military should possess. It then assesses the three leading ways of organizing the military according to this approach: the use of PMSCs, a conscripted force and the all-volunteer force (AVF). The paper argues that the AVF, despite some notable problems, is the most legitimate way of organising the military.

Url http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1474885111425119

DOI 10.1177/1474885111425119

Language English

Primary contributor

Author James Pattison

Additional details

Volume number 11

Issue number 2

Is this item peer reviewed (refereed)? Yes

ISSN 1474-8851

Publisher SAGE Publications

Date of publication 01 August 2012

Page reference 131-154

Place of publication London

Is this item a pre-print or post-print? Post-print

Title of journal European journal of political theory

Cite this outcome

Citation Style:

Harvard

Pattison, James (2012) The legitimacy of the military, private military and security companies, and just war theory. European journal of political theory. 11 (2), pp. 131-154 London: SAGE Publications.

Vancouver

Pattison James. The legitimacy of the military, private military and security companies, and just war theory. European journal of political theory 2012; 11 (2): 131-154.