Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in combat E-Book

William Kealey

• Herausgeber: GRIN Verlag
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Professorial Dissertation from the year 2012 in the subject Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict, Security, grade: 78, University of Lincoln, language: English, abstract: The increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has proven to be a catalyst for contentious dialogue (Valavanis et al: 2008; 3) between those whom acknowledge the suggested advantages of deploying UAVs and those who disagree on the basis that there are unjustifiable moral implications, especially in the context of warfare (Boyle. M :2013; 21). I remain impartial with regard to these arguments, however full justification shall be provided in due course as to why. This paper therefore, shall be written from the perspective of my own. To accurately evaluate these contrasting arguments we must first identify the meaning of morality in the context of warfare. Devlin. P (1965) acknowledges that definitively stating the confines of morality remains a hugely subjective issue, and so for simplicity, one broadly suited definition shall be accepted throughout the scope of this work. I believe Meisels. T's (2012: 932) notion whereby the laws of warfare, such as those presented in the Geneva conventions and the theory of 'just war'; which establishes humane 'rules' of conducting warfare, are inextricably linked with the notion of preserving morality during war. This perception on morality will therefore provide the parameters for the entirety of this essay to be argued from, and so whether warfare is 'moral' or not shall be decided by the extent to which war conforms with both the Geneva conventions and more importantly the theory of just war.

Leseprobe

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CONTENTS

Key issues regarding the co-existence of morality and UAVs

Harm

Agency

Regulation

Desirable outcomes

Conclusion

Bibliography

The increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has proven to be a catalyst for contentious dialogue (Valavanis et al: 2008; 3) between those whom acknowledge the suggested advantages of deploying UAVs and those who disagree on the basis that there are unjustifiable moral implications, especially in the context of warfare (Boyle. M :2013; 21). I remain impartial with regard to these arguments, however full justification shall be provided in due course as to why. This paper therefore, shall be written from the perspective of my own. To accurately evaluate these contrasting arguments we must first identify the meaning of morality in the context of warfare.Devlin. P (1965) acknowledges that definitively stating the confines of morality remains a hugely subjective issue, and so for simplicity, one broadly suited definition shall be accepted throughout the scope of this work. I believeMeisels. T's (2012: 932) notion whereby the laws of warfare, such as those presented in the Geneva conventions and the theory of 'just war'; which establishes humane 'rules' of conducting warfare, are inextricably linked with the notion of preserving morality during war. This perception on morality will therefore provide the parameters for the entirety of this essay to be argued from, and so whether warfare is 'moral' or not shall be decided by the extent to which war conforms with both the Geneva conventions and more importantly the theory of just war.

This assignment will draw particular focus on the latter, which in the most simplistic terms is composed from two different criteria; one provides 'rights' to initially wage war also known as 'jus ad bellum', and the second establishes the 'right' of conduct within warfare known as 'jus in bello' (Meisels. T's: 2012). The focus of this assignment is aimed at discussing the morality of UAVs within warfare, and thus particular focus on jus in bello shall be presumed to alleviate any confusion. Further clarity on the inclusive principles of jus in bello shall be examined later on.

The issue is of substantial and indeed increasing importance, as supported by Austin. R's (2011: 1) claim that there is an ever increasing involvement of UAVs in conflicts throughout the world. Quintana. E (2008: 7-13) goes further by suggesting that such an increase in the use of machines which are effectively pilot-less "flying robots with devastating capabilities", may potentially be the future of aerial warfare. It is merely the evolution of technology, comparable to that of the development of the musket from the sword (Quintana. E :2008; 7-13).

The exploration of such a topic therefore, provides an interesting, dynamic and contemporary area of study with the intended objective of identifying the key arguments surrounding the moral ramifications of operating UAVs in combat. Implications of these moral issues shall be critically analysed within the contexts of harm, agency and regulation thus helping to identify what is harmed, whom is responsible for said harm, and finally what can be done to help UAV operations conform to standards of what is globally considered 'morally right' (Meisels. T: 2012; 924) by conforming to the principles indicative of 'just war'. A catalogue of desirable outcomes shall also be formulated providing personal recommendations regarding the issues discussed.

Key issues regarding the co-existence of morality and UAVs

According to Quintana. E (2008: 4-5), the development and use of UAVs is an increasingly attractive prospect for politicians and military commanders, as they offer a high degree of control over the battlefield without placing any members of their own ranks in any danger, and at just a fraction of the price. The very notion of cheap warfare however, may actually promote violence since UAVs provide a practically disposable method of attack (Boyle. M: 2013; 11-19), therefore, the nature of this conflict is deemed by many as a controversial and unfair method of attack- since wars should not be waged on the basis that it is 'easy' to do so (Meisels. T: 2012). Boyle. M (2013: 21) further suggests that deploying UAVs against an enemy without equal firepower[1], is deemed as immoral and disproportionate warfare, since one side may suffer from great aerial disadvantages whilst the other boasts advantages such as the ability to perform reconnaissance missions and acquire air-superiority, all relatively cheaply. This is a somewhat legitimate claim according to McMahan. J (2005: 5-12), as this context of warfare undermines the guidelines of conflict in the principles established by jus in bello which states a war must above all, have distinction, military necessity, no means of evil conduct, fair treatment of prisoners and finally proportionality, in order to preserve morality (Finlay. C: 2013;156-158).