The Illusion of Just War: A Critique of Violence in a Modern Day Context

Published on 29 Jul 2025

“The morality of a just war collapses under the weight of the system itself, not taking into account the victims that suffer directly: noncombatants and the economically dispossessed.”

In the Illusion of Just War: A Critique of Violence in a Modern Day Context, Elisha Patmon explores the the True Currency of Morality, Civilians and the Myths that Sustain Global Conflict. She dissects how modern warfare, particularly when led by powerful Western actors, is cloaked in moral justification while driven by economic, political, and imperial interests. Drawing from decolonial theory, the essay dismantles long-standing myths about “just war,” highlighting how non-combatants, especially in the Global South, are routinely dehumanized and erased from dominant narratives. By unpacking case studies like Ukraine, Gaza, and Haiti, it urges a reimagining of war discourse that centers accountability, reparative justice, and the lived experiences of those most harmed.