Ending wars and the problem of moral hazard

Book section : Chapter

This chapter examines the ethical considerations and potential moral hazards involved in ending war through compromise. Defenders are widely viewed as entitled to continue fighting until they secure all just war aims; however, humanitarian concerns counsel compromise. The challenge, then, is that concessions to an aggressor might encourage future aggression. Analyzing the effect of moral hazard in the context of the ethics of war, the chapter establishes a novel approach to conflict resolution, drawing on the example of Ukraine: How might Ukraine seek a compromise peace with Russia without undermining moral principles or courting further aggression? The chapter argues that while compromises may sometimes be necessary to end bloodshed, they must be carefully structured to avoid rewarding aggression and to ensure justice and long-term stability. A crucial component of any such structure is likely to be the involvement of international third parties, which can blunt the effects of moral hazard while helping to ensure lasting peace.

Authors: Uzan, E

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Routledge
• Host title: Ending Wars Justly: Theory and Applications
• Pages: 123-141
• Chapter number: 6
• Series: Routledge Research in Applied Ethics
• Place of publication: New York
• Publication date: 2025-04-15
• Edition: 1
• DOI: 10.4324/9781003454144-9
• EISSN: 2997-0318
• ISSN: 2997-0326
• EISBN: 9781003454144
• ISBN: 9781032593074
• Language: English
• Subtype: Chapter