Just War and Ordered Liberty

Miller’s book is meant for scholars, but it is helpful to anyone and certainly worthwhile at this time of uncertainty. It won't be a quick read. You may need to look up some Latin words. He is not talking about war when attacked. When is it right to attack another nation? Lest you think this is a defense of war, I quote, “War is a profoundly imperfect, inefficient, and iniquitous element of the human experience. It corrupts everything it touches, even those with pure intentions.” Miller reviews the main schools of thought from the Augustinian to Westphalian to Liberal (not to be confused with political liberalism). Miller notes that the terms we use, "justice" and "just," have religious roots and, in Augustinian thought, are often used along with "love." War is fought because we love others. Miller defends the concept of "ordered liberty," not just human rights but an ordered society. War can only be considered when there is a violent disruption of ordered liberty and the only just goal is to establish or return a society to order so that justice can flourish. It is not for retribution, punishment, or just the overthrow of an evil regine. There must be a commitment to a longer-term goal of rebuilding, of vindication the rightness of justice and restablishment of an ordered society. He uses several modern conflicts as examples and even what kinds of weapons are consistent with the goals of ordered liberty. His research is based on his own extensive experience and military expertise, including frontline experience in Afghanistan. He discusses issues in a thoughtful and yet practical way. It will not be an easy read but as we continue to debate the role of the US in the world, as we consider the expansionist aims of Russia, China, and authoritarianism everywhere, and how to deal with nuclear or potential nuclear threats as well as terrorism, this book is well worth the time and effort.