The African American Challenge to Just War Theory

The central question of this book, 'What can just war theorists learn from African American thought?' is one, unfortunately, too seldom asked. Ryan Cumming's well-written and insightful study infuses new energy into what has become a stale discussion. He demonstrates the wisdom and necessity of listening to voices too long marginalized by both the church and society. As a result, ethical discourse about the morality of war and peacemaking is now richer and more adequate to an ever-changing and more complex world. - Bryan N. Massingale, Professor of Theological Ethics, Marquette University

Drawing on African American thought and experience, Ryan Cumming opens up a new set of questions posed to the heritage of just war reasoning. The author displays real mastery of the tradition's classic texts and more recent scholarly treatments prompted by the tragic wars of the last half century. African Americans' experience of historic oppression within a militarily and economically powerful nation offers a distinct spotlight on aspects of the just war criteria, especially 'right authority,' 'proportionality,' and 'just cause.' Most helpfully, Cumming engages how the stark financial sacrifices required to sustain high military budgets deserve sustained moral probing. This book helpfully surveys the tradition of the just war reasoning but offers a most distinctive constructive analysis posed from a liberationist ethical perspective. Scholars and students alike have much to gain from this fine treatment of a mournful subject. William French, Associate Professor, Department of Theology, Loyola University Chicago, USA