POL 109 Essay 1

POL109 October 24, 2023 Evaluating the Moral Justification of The Russia-Ukraine War Throughout human history, we have acknowledged the works of ancient and classical thinkers as indispensable and timeless sources of wisdom that can provide valuable insights into the contemporary world. As expressed by American novelist Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) "If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday," 1 . This rings true in the volatile world of modern international relations where we see the complexities of power dynamics, ethics, and global conflicts. Despite dating back hundreds, sometimes even thousands of years, the observations and reflections made by ancient thinkers are valuable because their works allow us to consider ethics, morals, and history when we look at contemporary politics. This essay argues that there is merit in studying the work of classical philosophers in the context of modern politics. The philosophical perspectives of Thucydides and Francesco de Vitoria are useful in assessing morality and ethics in modern conflicts. With the example of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Thucydides' moral justifications for war and Vitoria's perspectives about restrictions in modern warfare reflect the importance of considering the works of ancient and classical thinkers in contemporary politics. The philosophical work of Thucydides provides valuable insights about the justifications for why states go to war and could have helped to predict Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. 1 “A Quote by Pearl S. Buck,” Goodreads, accessed October 23, 2023, https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/267037-if-you-want-to-understand-today-you-have-to-search . 1

In his book, "The History of the Peloponnesian Wars," the Ancient Greek philosopher 2 Thucydides' argues that there are several reasons why states might go to war. Most pertinent to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Thucydides cites fear, the violation of rights, and self-preservation as reasons for a morally justified war 3 . While studying Russian aggression in Ukraine, the historical parallels with the Peloponnesian War become more apparent, and Thucydides' insights hold more relevance. There are various theories about the reasons for Russian aggression in Ukraine. Some political scientists such as Taras Kuzio, for example, argue that Russia's motivations for invading Ukraine are based on Russian Imperialism 4 . Other experts in the field, however, such as John Mearsheimer, argue that this is a baseless claim, and Russian invasion of Ukraine is based on fear of NATO's activities in Ukraine 5 . While it is difficult to determine the true causes of war 6 . Mearsheimer's argument that the conflict in Russia and Ukraine stemmed from fear seems credible. Mearsheimer explains that NATO's attempts to integrate Ukraine into the EU are alarming to Russia, and create a fear that Ukraine will turn into a "pro-Western liberal democracy" 7 . Russian dissatisfaction with this attempt has been clear since the 2008 annual NATO summit, where the integration of Ukraine and Georgia into the EU was first proposed. Russia's reaction was immediate, and they made it clear that this decision "was an existential threat to Russia" 8 . In the following years, Russia's stance on this has remained unchanged, with 8 John J Mearsheimer, “The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine War,” Horizons , 2022, Summer edition, sec. 1, 19. 7 John J Mearsheimer, “The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine War,” Horizons , 2022, Summer edition, sec. 1, 18. 6 David Zarnett, “Week #3 Lecture Slides,” Might & Right: Power and Justice in International Relations (lecture, September 2023). 5 John J Mearsheimer, “The Causes and Consequences of the Ukraine War,” Horizons , 2022, Summer edition, sec. 1. 4 Taras Kuzio, “Imperial Nationalism as the Driver behind Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine,” Nations and Nationalism 29, no. 1 (2022): 30–38, https://doi.org/10.1111/nana.12875. 3 Thucydides and Pelling C B R., “Chapter III: Congress of the Peloponnesian Confederacy at Lacedaemon,” in The History of the Peloponnesian War (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022). 2 David Zarnett, “Week #2 Lecture Slides,” Might & Right: Power and Justice in International Relations (lecture, September 2023). 2