AMERICAN ELITE VIEWS ON THE CONDUCT OF WAR

The attitudes of five elite groups regarding issues of war conduct are examined. The modal positions of diplomats, journalists, and congresspersons stand apart from those of the Catholic clergy and American military. The latter two groups diverge in opposite directions on many issues. While few norms of proper decision making are discovered, there is a consensus among American leaders against moral crusading, and the principles of the "just war" tradition have substantial support. Nevertheless, differences over basic decision making values seem to be likely sources of future disputes over the use of military force. In particular, leaders differ over their willingness to withdraw the principle of noncombatant immunity from enemy civilians.