ABSTRACT

In a modern democratic state under rule of law, military forces are clearly subordinate to civilian governments. Elected leaders have the authority and bear the responsibility to make decisions regarding the appropriateness of the use of military force to address political issues. In reality, however, healthy civil-military relations and the most successful deliberations about when to use force involve professional military advice on many aspects of those decisions. This chapter explores the many aspects of jus ad bellum deliberation where military perspectives, advice, and judgment are critical to ensuring that civilian decision makers make the best possible judgments on these matters.