Jack Bauer and Just War

ON THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY

By Raymond J. Keating


I’m worried. Who the heck is protecting these United States of America from assorted terrorist threats?

After all, even though the Hollywood writer’s strike is over, Jack Bauer and “24” will not return to FOX until 2009.

I’m going through some serious “24” withdrawal.

For those who have never watched “24” over the past six seasons, where have you been? It is by far the most edge-of-your-seat show on television. Each episode plays out in a real-time one-hour period. Put 24 shows together, and you get one wild day. Though some seasons clearly have been better than others, each is jam packed with thrills, action, interesting characters, deception, and plot turns and surprises.

Bauer is a government agent who stops at nothing to foil evildoers intent on inflicting great harm.

England has James Bond. We have Jack Bauer.

The situations that Bauer and his colleagues confront, and their responses and actions certainly provide fodder for reflection about ethics and morality. Indeed, you could build an entire college ethics class around “24.”

From a Christian perspective, “24” lends itself to a Just War analysis during this time of war against terrorists.

Let’s consider the scope of what we are talking about over the six days (seasons) of “24.” By my unofficial tally, Jack Bauer has wracked up a body count of 167. That is, Bauer killed – or apparently killed – 12 people on Day One, 27 on Day Two, 13 on Day Three, a high of 41 on Day Four, 35 on Day Five, and 39 on Day Six.

Bauer’s lethal actions make James Bond’s license to kill look like an elementary school hall pass.

But the question is: How do Bauer’s actions hold up to the Christian Just War Theory?

Let’s first briefly review what the Just War Theory instructs. Rooted in Holy Scripture, the Just War principles teach that there must be a righteous, just cause for war, that is, for self-defense; to secure peace; and to establish justice, remedy justice, protect the innocent or defend human rights. In addition, a just war must be a last resort and rely on a formal declaration.

The Just War Theory also governs how war is to be conducted. The first principle here is proportionality, meaning that war should be the lesser of two evils, and should be what is needed to secure peace and improve conditions. The second principle is discrimination, i.e., war should be waged against enemy combatants and military targets, not against civilians and other noncombatants.

So, how does the Just War Theory gauge Jack Bauer’s actions? First, it is important to keep in mind that Bauer works for the government. Clearly, the state’s right to wage war and right to use force when necessary are affirmed by Holy Scripture. For example, St. Paul wrote: “Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.” (Romans 13:3-4) Bauer is a combatant or a bearer of the government’s sword.

Let’s consider each day (season).

Day One. Senator David Palmer, who is running for U.S. president, and Bauer are targets of a revenge plot by the family of a Serbian war criminal. Previously, Palmer had approved and Bauer led Operation Nightfall carried out against the murderous Victor Drazen. The Drazens kidnap Bauer’s family, and plant moles inside the Counter-Terrorist Unit (CTU), the agency where Bauer works.

Most of Bauer’s killings in Day One are justified as self-defense and in protecting his family. All, that is, except one. Bauer mistakenly believes that the Drazens have killed his daughter, and when Victor Drazen drops his gun and puts his hands in the air, Bauer nonetheless shoots him dead.

At the end of the day, Nina Myers, a CTU colleague and former lover who turns out to be a mole, murders Bauer’s wife.

Day Two. Eighteen months after Day One, Bauer and President Palmer face an imminent nuclear threat by terrorists in Los Angeles.

To stop the terrorists, Bauer undertakes a variety of extreme actions. Again, there are assorted justified actions that take the lives of terrorists.

But Bauer also shoots and kills an FBI criminal informant during an interrogation in order to present the informant’s head to the criminals so as to infiltrate the operation and track the terrorists. At various points, Palmer authorizes torture, while Bauer threatens Nina Myers and tortures a terrorist to get information about the nuclear weapons.

Day Th