About the book
An argument for the centrality of rights in health security, and how to apply ethical principles to protecting those rights during public health crises.
In recent years, efforts to respond to infectious diseases have been described in terms of national and global security, leading to the formation of the field of “health security.” In War on All Fronts, Nicholas G. Evans provides a novel theory of just health security and its relation to the practice of conventional public health. Using COVID-19 as a jumping-off point to examine wider issues, including how the US thinks about and prepares for pandemics, Evans shows the flaws in using the “war metaphor\" and how any serious understanding of health security must square with human rights—even when a disease poses a threat to national security.
Evans asks what ethical principles justify declaring, and taking action during, a public health emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The relevant principles, he argues, parallel those of the ethics of armed conflict. Just war theory, properly understood, begins with pacifism and a commitment to the right not to be killed and then steps back to ask under what limited conditions it is permissible to kill. In a similar way, a just health security must also begin with the idea that public health should hold human rights sacrosanct and then ask under what limited conditions other concerns might prevail. Evans’s overall goal is to formulate a guide to action, particularly as the world deals with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Turning to the transition from war back to peace in public health, he looks at reparation, rebuilding, and the accountability of actors during the crisis.
Editions of War on All Fronts
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780262545433
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262374217
- EBook
- ISBN 9780262374224
Read an Excerpt
An argument for the centrality of rights in health security, and how to apply ethical principles to protecting those rights during public health crises.
In recent years, efforts to respond to infectious diseases have been described in terms of national and global security, leading to the formation of the field of “health security.” In War on All Fronts, Nicholas G. Evans provides a novel theory of just health security and its relation to the practice of conventional public health. Using COVID-19 as a jumping-off point to examine wider issues, including how the US thinks about and prepares for pandemics, Evans shows the flaws in using the “war metaphor\" and how any serious understanding of health security must square with human rights—even when a disease poses a threat to national security.
Evans asks what ethical principles justify declaring, and taking action during, a public health emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The relevant principles, he argues, parallel those of the ethics of armed conflict. Just war theory, properly understood, begins with pacifism and a commitment to the right not to be killed and then steps back to ask under what limited conditions it is permissible to kill. In a similar way, a just health security must also begin with the idea that public health should hold human rights sacrosanct and then ask under what limited conditions other concerns might prevail. Evans’s overall goal is to formulate a guide to action, particularly as the world deals with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Turning to the transition from war back to peace in public health, he looks at reparation, rebuilding, and the accountability of actors during the crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is War on All Fronts about?
An argument for the centrality of rights in health security, and how to apply ethical principles to protecting those rights during public health crises.
In recent years, efforts to respond to infectious diseases have been described in terms of national and global security, leading to the formation of the field of “health security.” In War on All Fronts, Nicholas G. Evans provides a novel theory of just health security and its relation to the practice of conventional public health. Using COVID-19 as a jumping-off point to examine wider issues, including how the US thinks about and prepares for pandemics, Evans shows the flaws in using the “war metaphor\" and how any serious understanding of health security must square with human rights—even when a disease poses a threat to national security.
Evans asks what ethical principles justify declaring, and taking action during, a public health emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The relevant principles, he argues, parallel those of the ethics of armed conflict. Just war theory, properly understood, begins with pacifism and a commitment to the right not to be killed and then steps back to ask under what limited conditions it is permissible to kill. In a similar way, a just health security must also begin with the idea that public health should hold human rights sacrosanct and then ask under what limited conditions other concerns might prevail. Evans’s overall goal is to formulate a guide to action, particularly as the world deals with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Turning to the transition from war back to peace in public health, he looks at reparation, rebuilding, and the accountability of actors during the crisis.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in War on All Fronts?
Society and Social Sciences > Politics and government > Central / national / federal government > Central / national / federal government policies
Where can I read a sample of War on All Fronts?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780262545433
Who is/are the Author/s of the book War on All Fronts?
Nicholas G. Evans
Who is the Publisher of the book War on All Fronts?
MIT Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
War on All Fronts is available as paperback(ISBN 9780262545433) and ebook(ISBN 9780262374217) and ebook(ISBN 9780262374224)
Where can I buy War on All Fronts online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy War on All Fronts from below
Where can I buy War on All Fronts?