A new assessment of the debates about Just War in the 20th and 21st centuries, from the imperial wars of the 19th century through the age of total war, the evolution of human rights discourse and international law, to proportionality during the Cold War and the redefinition of authority with the ascendancy of terror groups.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 384-389) and index.

Part I: Empire, war and the modern age: imperialism and conflict in the nineteenth century -- Part II: The First World War: conflict and aftermath -- Part III: The Second World War: justifying global conflict -- Part IV: Cold War: justifying ideologies -- Part V: Into the modern age: justifying war in the twenty-first century.