Which concept focuses on moral restraints in warfare?

The Just War tradition is a significant concept in the study of ethics in warfare, emphasizing the moral considerations that must govern the conduct of war. This tradition asserts that there are ethical constraints on warfare, addressing both the justification for going to war (jus ad bellum) and the conduct within that war (jus in bello). It posits that war should only be waged for morally sound reasons and that even in war, there are limits on the means and methods used.

The Just War tradition provides a framework for understanding when it is permissible to engage in conflict and how to conduct military operations ethically. This ensures that the principles of proportionality and discrimination are upheld, meaning that military operations should not lead to excessive harm to civilians or non-combatants and should be appropriately scaled to the aims of the conflict.

In contrast, other concepts like realism primarily focus on power dynamics and the anarchy of the international system, while utilitarianism generally emphasizes the outcomes and greatest good without necessarily addressing moral restraints in the same way. Pacifism outright opposes war, advocating for non-violence and conflict resolution without addressing the complexities of justly engaging in warfare. Thus, the Just War tradition distinctly encompasses the moral framework necessary for understanding the ethical implications of warfare