This is part of my PhD draft chapter containing the theoretical framework for my thesis. Asking why some countries intervene in other countries, it examines the ancient history of intervention and the ethical or moral grounds given until recently.

As a legal concept, the use of forceful intervention has a long history. The Mahabharata (probably dating from the 8^th or 9^th century before the Common Era) contains a long discussion of dharmayuddha, or ‘righteous war’. The principles agreed on include proportionality, just cause, just means and fair treatment of prisoners^[1].