Justification of War There are three broad positions on whether war can be justified or not. Realpolitik Suggests that war, as a political act, needs no moral justification. war is accepted as a universal norm of human history, peace is always temporary While criticizing liberal approach, the realist believed that it is better to be ?hard-headed? than ?wrongheaded? Just war theory ? suggests that war can be justified only if it conforms to moral principles. The idea of a ?just war? is based on the assumption that war can be justified and should be judged on the basis of ethical criteria. Pacifism ? suggesting that war, as an unnecessary evil, can never be justified. Just War Theory Origin and history