The next kind of war to be considered is the war of self defence. This kind of war is almost universally admitted to be justifiable, and is condemned only by Christ and Tolstoy. The justification of wars of self-defence is very convenient, since so far as I know there has never yet been a war which was not one of self-defence.
Source: ustice in War Time, 1915, by Bertrand Russell
Brief Comment
The right of self-defense is internationally recognized as a matter of course, but its abuse must be avoided. If one is about to be killed, and by accident, while striking back with a nearby club or some other object, one ends up killing the aggressor, it is recognized as "self-defense" (emergency action).
However, in disputes and wars between nations, there are not a few politicians and countries that casually use the term self-defense, and such rhetoric has often escalated situations rather than resolving them.
The source of today's quote from Russell is his 1915 publication Justice in War Time. It is extremely difficult to oppose a war in which one's own country is involved during wartime. For his anti-war activities, Russell was isolated even by his friends, and from May to September 1918, he was imprisoned in Brixton Prison on the outskirts of London.
No country openly declares a war as an act of aggression. Whether a great power or not, any country can wage war under the pretext of self-defense against a weaker nation. Of course, it is rare for a small country to initiate war against a great power.
Various justifications for war can be concocted. One common historical tactic is to claim that terrorism within one's own country is the work of an enemy nation. Both Putin and Trump have made use of this strategy. Leaders of great powers are able to impose various demands on weaker nations. Because of such realities, most Japanese citizens believe their country is "safe" as long as it follows America's lead.
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