Pre-Emptive Strikes

The question of whether a nation can be justified in making a pre-emptive strike against another sovereign nation, such as the United States attack on Iraq in March, 2003, can be answered on the basis of morality as well as expediency. Michael Walzer contends that pre-emptive strikes can be just given the right conditions. His argument will be assessed in light of Hannah Arendt's philosophical views, particularly her distinction between power and violence.

According to Arendt, there is a significant difference between violence and power. Violence cannot change the power structure since violence and power are two different concepts. Power is the ability of a social entity to act in concert and is the essence and end of all government. Power is by nature non-violent whereas although violence

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Category: Government - P