Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.003.0004
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter locates the role of reciprocal risk within the warrior ethos. It first outlines that exposure to personal, physical risk has long been regarded as a key element in the ethos-based ...
More
This chapter locates the role of reciprocal risk within the warrior ethos. It first outlines that exposure to personal, physical risk has long been regarded as a key element in the ethos-based conception of legitimate violence. It demonstrates this through analysis of ancient warfare, both Greek and Roman, as well as the medieval code of chivalry. As will be further shown, however, the warrior ethos is an evolving framework; one that gives increasing consideration to factors such as restraint and professionalism in determinations of ethical status. This will be confirmed through analysis of premodern, modern, and ‘post-heroic’ warfare. As this chapter will illustrate, the adaptive quality of the warrior ethos is a key explanatory factor in the historical resolution of asymmetry-challenges.Less
This chapter locates the role of reciprocal risk within the warrior ethos. It first outlines that exposure to personal, physical risk has long been regarded as a key element in the ethos-based conception of legitimate violence. It demonstrates this through analysis of ancient warfare, both Greek and Roman, as well as the medieval code of chivalry. As will be further shown, however, the warrior ethos is an evolving framework; one that gives increasing consideration to factors such as restraint and professionalism in determinations of ethical status. This will be confirmed through analysis of premodern, modern, and ‘post-heroic’ warfare. As this chapter will illustrate, the adaptive quality of the warrior ethos is a key explanatory factor in the historical resolution of asymmetry-challenges.
Maja Zehfuss
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- February 2018
- ISBN:
- 9780198807995
- eISBN:
- 9780191845789
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198807995.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter focuses on how militaries seek to train soldiers to be good in line with the vision for ethical war. Western militaries have presented themselves as ‘forces for good’, including an ...
More
This chapter focuses on how militaries seek to train soldiers to be good in line with the vision for ethical war. Western militaries have presented themselves as ‘forces for good’, including an explicit commitment to clearly articulated values. In this context, the chapter returns to the problem of killing and highlights the challenge it poses in military training and practice. It shows how military ethics education has drawn on virtue ethics, not least for the production of a warrior ethos, endorsing the assumption that good soldiers make good war. The chapter examines how soldiers who have been trained in this way have fared in recent wars. Finally, it highlights the problem that it is actually impossible to be a good soldier in the way envisaged and that this poses problems for those asked to live up to the vision.Less
This chapter focuses on how militaries seek to train soldiers to be good in line with the vision for ethical war. Western militaries have presented themselves as ‘forces for good’, including an explicit commitment to clearly articulated values. In this context, the chapter returns to the problem of killing and highlights the challenge it poses in military training and practice. It shows how military ethics education has drawn on virtue ethics, not least for the production of a warrior ethos, endorsing the assumption that good soldiers make good war. The chapter examines how soldiers who have been trained in this way have fared in recent wars. Finally, it highlights the problem that it is actually impossible to be a good soldier in the way envisaged and that this poses problems for those asked to live up to the vision.
Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.001.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This book offers an engaging and historically informed account of the moral challenge of radically asymmetric violence—warfare conducted by one party in the near-complete absence of physical risk, ...
More
This book offers an engaging and historically informed account of the moral challenge of radically asymmetric violence—warfare conducted by one party in the near-complete absence of physical risk, across the full scope of a conflict zone. What role does physical risk and material threat play in the justifications for killing in war? And crucially, is there a point at which battlefield violence becomes so one-directional as to undermine the moral basis for its use? In order to answers these questions, Asymmetric Killing delves into the morally contested terrain of the warrior ethos and Just War Tradition, locating the historical and contemporary role of reciprocal risk within both. This book also engages two historical episodes of battlefield asymmetry, military sniping and manned aerial bombing. Both modes of violence generated an imbalance of risk between opponents so profound as to call into question their permissibility. These now-resolved controversies will then be contrasted with the UAV-exclusive violence of the United States, robotic killing conducted in the absence of a significant military ground presence in conflict theatres such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. As will be revealed, the radical asymmetry of this latter case is distinct, undermining reciprocal risk at the structural level of war. Beyond its more resolvable tension with the warrior ethos, UAV-exclusive violence represents a fundamental challenge to the very coherence of the moral justifications for killing in war.Less
This book offers an engaging and historically informed account of the moral challenge of radically asymmetric violence—warfare conducted by one party in the near-complete absence of physical risk, across the full scope of a conflict zone. What role does physical risk and material threat play in the justifications for killing in war? And crucially, is there a point at which battlefield violence becomes so one-directional as to undermine the moral basis for its use? In order to answers these questions, Asymmetric Killing delves into the morally contested terrain of the warrior ethos and Just War Tradition, locating the historical and contemporary role of reciprocal risk within both. This book also engages two historical episodes of battlefield asymmetry, military sniping and manned aerial bombing. Both modes of violence generated an imbalance of risk between opponents so profound as to call into question their permissibility. These now-resolved controversies will then be contrasted with the UAV-exclusive violence of the United States, robotic killing conducted in the absence of a significant military ground presence in conflict theatres such as Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia. As will be revealed, the radical asymmetry of this latter case is distinct, undermining reciprocal risk at the structural level of war. Beyond its more resolvable tension with the warrior ethos, UAV-exclusive violence represents a fundamental challenge to the very coherence of the moral justifications for killing in war.
Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.003.0006
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter explores the asymmetry-challenge of military sniping. It first provides a historical overview of the practice, beginning with early forms of ranged killing and concluding with the ...
More
This chapter explores the asymmetry-challenge of military sniping. It first provides a historical overview of the practice, beginning with early forms of ranged killing and concluding with the sharpshooting of the First World War. The asymmetric potential of this technology will be detailed, as well as the criticism this advantage attracted. The chapter will then clarify that in contrast to its tension with the warrior ethos, the asymmetry-challenge of sniping did not impact the Just War Tradition to a meaningful degree. The chapter concludes by examining the gradual resolution of the asymmetry-challenge of sniping, focusing on the increasingly significant role of combat responsibility in determinations of ethically legitimate violence.Less
This chapter explores the asymmetry-challenge of military sniping. It first provides a historical overview of the practice, beginning with early forms of ranged killing and concluding with the sharpshooting of the First World War. The asymmetric potential of this technology will be detailed, as well as the criticism this advantage attracted. The chapter will then clarify that in contrast to its tension with the warrior ethos, the asymmetry-challenge of sniping did not impact the Just War Tradition to a meaningful degree. The chapter concludes by examining the gradual resolution of the asymmetry-challenge of sniping, focusing on the increasingly significant role of combat responsibility in determinations of ethically legitimate violence.
Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.003.0007
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter explores the asymmetry-challenge of manned aerial bombing. It first provides a historical overview of the practice, beginning in the nineteenth century and concluding with the 1999 ...
More
This chapter explores the asymmetry-challenge of manned aerial bombing. It first provides a historical overview of the practice, beginning in the nineteenth century and concluding with the 1999 high-altitude bombing of Operation Allied Force (OAF). The chapter will then examine, and distinguish between, the ethical and moral opposition that emerged in response to civilian bombing. This opposition will then be reconsidered in the context of the First Gulf War and OAF. It is within these conflicts that we witness a shift in the locus of the asymmetric-challenge of aerial bombing, from civilian to combatant targeting. The chapter concludes by exploring the gradual resolution of the asymmetry-challenge of manned aerial bombing.Less
This chapter explores the asymmetry-challenge of manned aerial bombing. It first provides a historical overview of the practice, beginning in the nineteenth century and concluding with the 1999 high-altitude bombing of Operation Allied Force (OAF). The chapter will then examine, and distinguish between, the ethical and moral opposition that emerged in response to civilian bombing. This opposition will then be reconsidered in the context of the First Gulf War and OAF. It is within these conflicts that we witness a shift in the locus of the asymmetric-challenge of aerial bombing, from civilian to combatant targeting. The chapter concludes by exploring the gradual resolution of the asymmetry-challenge of manned aerial bombing.
Arthur M. Eckstein
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- March 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780520246188
- eISBN:
- 9780520932302
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of California Press
- DOI:
- 10.1525/california/9780520246188.003.0006
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Archaeology: Classical
Roman senatorial aristocracy was trained in war from adolescence. Romans presumed to have to wage war against various perceived enemies every year. The basic foreign-relations task of the Senate was ...
More
Roman senatorial aristocracy was trained in war from adolescence. Romans presumed to have to wage war against various perceived enemies every year. The basic foreign-relations task of the Senate was the mission of army commands every spring wherein the Roman populace expected to have a significant portion of its male population to be enrolled in the fighting forces every year. Rome was a highly militarized, militaristic, and assertive state, led by an aristocracy imbued with a strong warrior ethos, which in turn was backed by a populace that acquired war as a fact of life. The approving attitude at Rome toward personal military achievement is absolutely true. But the problem is that this cultural attitude was not uniquely Roman. Their road to personal authority within the polity and to glory in the future was an idea shared deeply by Persians, the Greeks of both the Classical and the Hellenistic period, and the Carthaginians.Less
Roman senatorial aristocracy was trained in war from adolescence. Romans presumed to have to wage war against various perceived enemies every year. The basic foreign-relations task of the Senate was the mission of army commands every spring wherein the Roman populace expected to have a significant portion of its male population to be enrolled in the fighting forces every year. Rome was a highly militarized, militaristic, and assertive state, led by an aristocracy imbued with a strong warrior ethos, which in turn was backed by a populace that acquired war as a fact of life. The approving attitude at Rome toward personal military achievement is absolutely true. But the problem is that this cultural attitude was not uniquely Roman. Their road to personal authority within the polity and to glory in the future was an idea shared deeply by Persians, the Greeks of both the Classical and the Hellenistic period, and the Carthaginians.
Martin L. Dr. Cook
- Published in print:
- 2015
- Published Online:
- January 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780226258058
- eISBN:
- 9780226258195
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226258195.003.0003
- Subject:
- Law, Human Rights and Immigration
This chapter explores the use of drone technology from the perspective of professional military ethics, asking when and how drone use is consistent with achieving legitimate and ethically permissible ...
More
This chapter explores the use of drone technology from the perspective of professional military ethics, asking when and how drone use is consistent with achieving legitimate and ethically permissible military purposes. It traces how technological advances and the changing nature of conflict have combined to influence security policy and military culture. Acknowledging the tactical and short-term operational advantages of drones, the chapter notes that the use of drone weapons may have a negative strategic impact, such as increasing recruitment rates among militant groups. The chapter also discusses the impact of drone weapons on those who operate them and addresses the potential erosion of the ‘warrior ethos.’ Robotic warfare alters the moral meaning of war as patriotic duty and risks making targeting killing appear normal and antiseptic.Less
This chapter explores the use of drone technology from the perspective of professional military ethics, asking when and how drone use is consistent with achieving legitimate and ethically permissible military purposes. It traces how technological advances and the changing nature of conflict have combined to influence security policy and military culture. Acknowledging the tactical and short-term operational advantages of drones, the chapter notes that the use of drone weapons may have a negative strategic impact, such as increasing recruitment rates among militant groups. The chapter also discusses the impact of drone weapons on those who operate them and addresses the potential erosion of the ‘warrior ethos.’ Robotic warfare alters the moral meaning of war as patriotic duty and risks making targeting killing appear normal and antiseptic.
Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.003.0001
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This introductory chapter sets out the scope of the analysis to be covered in the book. It introduces the subject of radical asymmetry, clarifies the theoretical and empirical dimensions of the ...
More
This introductory chapter sets out the scope of the analysis to be covered in the book. It introduces the subject of radical asymmetry, clarifies the theoretical and empirical dimensions of the topic, and provides an overview of historical iterations of this challenge. Following a brief review of the existing debate, the chapter outlines the methodological framework of the book, highlighting the distinction between its ethical and moral focus. Following this, the chapter offers a summary of the central argument. A brief breakdown of the overall structure of the book is then provided. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the significance of this subject.Less
This introductory chapter sets out the scope of the analysis to be covered in the book. It introduces the subject of radical asymmetry, clarifies the theoretical and empirical dimensions of the topic, and provides an overview of historical iterations of this challenge. Following a brief review of the existing debate, the chapter outlines the methodological framework of the book, highlighting the distinction between its ethical and moral focus. Following this, the chapter offers a summary of the central argument. A brief breakdown of the overall structure of the book is then provided. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the significance of this subject.
Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.003.0008
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This chapter outlines the extent to which UAV-exclusive violence both aligns with and diverges from the more resolvable asymmetry-challenges of the past. The chapter first acknowledges the ...
More
This chapter outlines the extent to which UAV-exclusive violence both aligns with and diverges from the more resolvable asymmetry-challenges of the past. The chapter first acknowledges the considerable overlap between historical and current asymmetry in terms of their tension with the warrior ethos. As it then details, this analogy to the past breaks down in regard to the moral justifications for killing in war. This chapter argues that the unprecedented capacity of UAV-exclusive military force to erode the structural reciprocity of war has undermined the ability of the United States to interpret and apply morally acceptable limits on its violence. The chapter concludes by exploring the implications of UAV-exclusive violence for the regulation of lethal force.Less
This chapter outlines the extent to which UAV-exclusive violence both aligns with and diverges from the more resolvable asymmetry-challenges of the past. The chapter first acknowledges the considerable overlap between historical and current asymmetry in terms of their tension with the warrior ethos. As it then details, this analogy to the past breaks down in regard to the moral justifications for killing in war. This chapter argues that the unprecedented capacity of UAV-exclusive military force to erode the structural reciprocity of war has undermined the ability of the United States to interpret and apply morally acceptable limits on its violence. The chapter concludes by exploring the implications of UAV-exclusive violence for the regulation of lethal force.
Neil C. Renic
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- June 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198851462
- eISBN:
- 9780191886065
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198851462.003.0009
- Subject:
- Political Science, International Relations and Politics
This concluding chapter revisits the main contentions of the book. This will commence with an overview of the significance and implications of the moral challenge of radical asymmetry. The broader ...
More
This concluding chapter revisits the main contentions of the book. This will commence with an overview of the significance and implications of the moral challenge of radical asymmetry. The broader relevance of these findings for ongoing debates within the Just War Tradition and laws of war will then be detailed. This will include analysis of the likely impact of the widening gap between what is morally justifiable on the battlefield and what is the legally permissible. The chapter will conclude by assessing how the challenge of radically asymmetric violence is most likely to develop from this point onwards, as the technology that enables it proliferates globally.Less
This concluding chapter revisits the main contentions of the book. This will commence with an overview of the significance and implications of the moral challenge of radical asymmetry. The broader relevance of these findings for ongoing debates within the Just War Tradition and laws of war will then be detailed. This will include analysis of the likely impact of the widening gap between what is morally justifiable on the battlefield and what is the legally permissible. The chapter will conclude by assessing how the challenge of radically asymmetric violence is most likely to develop from this point onwards, as the technology that enables it proliferates globally.
Dariusz Kołodziejczyk
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- December 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780197532768
- eISBN:
- 9780197532799
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780197532768.003.0026
- Subject:
- History, World Medieval History
The Ottoman rulers masterfully combined military prowess with state-building skills. Having adopted Persian bureaucratic institutions, at the same time they maintained such typical Turkic traits as ...
More
The Ottoman rulers masterfully combined military prowess with state-building skills. Having adopted Persian bureaucratic institutions, at the same time they maintained such typical Turkic traits as the nomadic warrior ethos, religious tolerance, and the institution of slave soldiers. To their Greek and Slavic subjects in the Balkans, the Ottoman sultans appealed as a viable (and more successful) alternative to the Roman/Byzantine emperors; to Arab subjects in the Middle East, they were the legitimate successors of the first caliphs. Yet in the long run, keeping such distinct traits proved difficult: the more rigid the Ottoman rulers were in their confessional policy in order to consolidate the Sunni Muslim core of the empire’s population, the more they alienated those who did not belong to this core. The empire’s final decades were characterized by the rising nationalisms and ethnic cleansings whose effects were further deepened by the humanitarian catastrophe related to the wars fought incessantly in the years 1911–1922.Less
The Ottoman rulers masterfully combined military prowess with state-building skills. Having adopted Persian bureaucratic institutions, at the same time they maintained such typical Turkic traits as the nomadic warrior ethos, religious tolerance, and the institution of slave soldiers. To their Greek and Slavic subjects in the Balkans, the Ottoman sultans appealed as a viable (and more successful) alternative to the Roman/Byzantine emperors; to Arab subjects in the Middle East, they were the legitimate successors of the first caliphs. Yet in the long run, keeping such distinct traits proved difficult: the more rigid the Ottoman rulers were in their confessional policy in order to consolidate the Sunni Muslim core of the empire’s population, the more they alienated those who did not belong to this core. The empire’s final decades were characterized by the rising nationalisms and ethnic cleansings whose effects were further deepened by the humanitarian catastrophe related to the wars fought incessantly in the years 1911–1922.