In this essay, I argue that just such a thoroughgoing transformation in international society is taking place even though it does not amount to the establishment of a global state, which is what Walzer implied. Just war theory is difficult to apply in the context of those changes we lump together under the rubric of globalisation. A new ethical approach is needed, and one that is grounded in the notion that the rights of individuals supersede the rights of states and that, therefore, international law that applies to individuals overrides the laws of war. In other words, jus in pace cannot be suspended in wartime in favour of jus ad bellum or jus in bello.

There is still a role for legitimate military force, but the way it is used is more akin to domestic law enforcement than war fighting. I use the term ‘human security’ to refer to the defence of individuals as opposed to ‘state security’. Of course, some of the just war principles are relevant to law enforcement, as is much of the content of humanitarian law, but a change in the language is important.