Swanson builds a case that the time has come to set behind us the idea that a war can ever be just. This critique of "Just War" theory finds the criteria such theories use to be either unmeasurable, unachievable, or amoral, and the perspective taken too narrow.

This book argues that belief in the possibility of a just war does tremendous damage by facilitating enormous investment in war preparations-which strips resources from human and environmental needs while creating momentum for numerous unjust wars.