This book investigates the moral foundations of defensive war, questioning whether the defense of a political community remains a justifiable principle when subjected to rigorous philosophical scrutiny. Cécile Fabre and Seth Lazar, both established scholars in moral and political philosophy, curate a collection of essays that challenge the assumption that defensive war is inherently just. They utilize contemporary philosophical frameworks to examine the tension between individual rights and collective security, providing a structured inquiry into the ethics of state-sanctioned violence.

Experts in political philosophy recognize this collection as a rigorous contribution to the ongoing debate surrounding just war theory. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for scholars and advanced students of ethics.