Jonathan Sumption: War, Lockdowns and Lessons from the Past
Oct 21, 2023
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Former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption discusses war's influence on societies, the erosion of liberalism, the European Court of Human Rights, migration's impact on the nation state, and the UK's prospects in weathering future declines.
War played a significant role in shaping nations and societies throughout history, serving as the origin of the state and a means to settle disputes.
Joan of Arc's remarkable role in the Hundred Years' War showcases the fascination and influence of influential figures throughout history.
The concept of the Just War tradition had limited practical impact historically, with modern approaches relying on treaties and conventions, posing challenges in applying them to non-state groups and asymmetric conflicts.
Deep dives
The importance of war in creating and shaping the state
War is crucial in the formation and development of the state, serving as the origin of the state and a means to settle disputes. It shaped societies and forced the organization and allocation of resources. In the past, war was seen as the normal way of resolving conflicts, and victories were celebrated. While modern sentiments consider war as disastrous, it is essential to understand its historical significance in shaping nations and societies.
The rise and impact of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc, a 17-year-old peasant, played a remarkable role in the Hundred Years' War. She reversed the course of the war in a year and became a celebrity and a morale booster for the French. While some attribute her actions to divine intervention, others believe she simply took risks and bluffed her way to success. Despite her dramatic impact, her military career lasted less than a year. Her story captures the fascination and influence of influential figures throughout history.
The limitations of the Just War tradition
The concept of the Just War tradition, rooted in natural law, had limited practical impact in how wars were conducted historically. It was favored by theologians and civil lawyers but did not significantly guide military strategies. In contrast, modern approaches to just wars are based on treaties and conventions, such as the Hague and Geneva Conventions, which lay out rules for the conduct of wars. The challenge lies in applying these rules to non-state groups and asymmetric conflicts.
Concerns about the erosion of civil liberties during the pandemic
The pandemic led to the imposition of restrictions, impacting civil liberties and personal sovereignty. The erosion of negative liberties, particularly bodily sovereignty, raised concerns about expanded state control. The shift away from principles like bodily autonomy and negative liberty, along with the disregard for collateral consequences and the narrow focus on specific outcomes, threatens traditional liberal methods of governance.
The potential future shift towards authoritarianism
There is a possibility of a future societal shift towards authoritarianism, with a focus on a single view and restrictions on individual freedoms. While there is no current example of foreign powers deliberately fostering disorder to impose overarching control, it remains a theoretical possibility. The rigid constitutional structure of the United States may hinder its ability to navigate long-term decline, and political troubles may be indicators of a broader malaise within the country.
Former Supreme Court judge, and celebrated historian of The Hundred Years War, Jonathan Sumption joins UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers to discuss continental entanglements past and present, and the disrupted civil and international order we face today.
