Single Idea 23607

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / c. Combatants]

Full Idea

War is something that occurs not between man and man, but between States. The individuals who become involved in it are enemies only by accident. A State can have as its enemies only other States, not men at all.

Gist of Idea

Wars are between States, not people, and the individuals are enemies by accident

Source

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract (tr Cress) [1762], p.249), quoted by Jeff McMahan - Killing in War 2.5

Book Reference

McMahan,Jeff: 'Killing in War' [OUP 2009], p.79


A Reaction

This is the classic statement of the collectivist view, which goes on to assert that the morality of warfare is quite different from ordinary morality. McMahan argues against this view, very persuasively.

Related Idea

Idea 23608 If being part of a big collective relieves soldiers of moral responsibility, why not the leaders too? [McMahan]