Jus ad Bellum

( adapted from an article by David Luban inInternational Ethics. Ed Charles Beitz, et al. Princeton, 1985)

Two countries share and Island. A mountain range separates the two countries. One side of the mountain range gets all the rain as the clouds rise to cross the mountain range. It is called theRepublic of Geshem. Geshem has rich fertile land and exports food for cash. The other side of them mountain range is arid and is called theRepublicof Midbar. For historical and cultural reasons the two countries do not trade. This year Midbar gets very little rain and many people face famine and starvation. Midbar asks Geshem for donations of food because it is poor and has little cash. Geshem refuses because it needs to sell its excess food to purchase other goods for its population, including electricity to runtheir hospitals and schools.

The government of Midbar is desperate and is preparing for war to either steal the food or conquer Geshem.

Would an attack by Midbar to gain control of territory and food be justified?

Would a preemptive attack by Geshem to prevent an attack by Midbar be justified?

Does the government of Geshem have a legal and ethical right to protect the living standard of its people?

Does the government of Midbar have a legal and ethical right to protect the lives of its population?