Just war refers to the concept of warfare as being justified, typically in accordance with a particular situation, or scenario, and expanded or supported by reference to doctrine, politics, tradition, or historical commentary. Distinctions include:

• the Just War tradition - is a philosophical "method" for determining whether a war can be justified from a moral standpoint and a tradition going back at least to Augustine of Hippo.
• Just War theory - on the recent political doctrines reinterpreting the concept of "Just war" as a justification for military aggression and imperialism.

Theory

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"Just War theory" refers to modern political doctrines which promote the view that war is "just" (ie. justice), given satisfactory conditions. As "conditions" tend to be variable, open to interpretation, and otherwise subject to political obfuscation, the concept of Just War itself, even apart from any specific formulated doctrines, is controversial.

While proponents claim such views have a long "tradition," critics claim the application of "Just war" is only relativistic, and directly contradicts more universal philosophical traditions such as the Ethic of reciprocity.

Tradition

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Gerechter Krieg | Doctrine de la guerre juste | Doktrin tentang Perang yang Sah