Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.09.25
Which five principles of just war theory does Brühl use to judge the morality of sanctions?
Just cause, legitimate authority, discrimination, proportionality and a reasonable prospect of success; procedural legitimacy is added as part of political legitimacy.
| Principle | Applied to sanctions against Russia |
|---|---|
| 1. Just cause | Helping a state defend its territory against an aggressor is a just cause |
| 2. Legitimate authority | Only governments may impose coercive measures that restrict property rights; many countries acting together adds credibility |
| 3. Discrimination | Target the state representatives responsible, not civilians |
| 4. Proportionality | Exempt food and medical products |
| 5. Prospect of success | Must be reasonable. Russia has shifted almost a third of its budget to defence and is unlikely to stop because of sanctions, but that does not make them useless |
Brühl also looks at procedural legitimacy. The EU coordinated quickly with other countries, but the overall picture is mixed: gaps in EU governance (such as a slow start on energy) reduced effectiveness, and the growing scope of sanctions brings increasing signs of problematic humanitarian effects.