The Dissenter

#1168 Jeff McMahan: The Ethics of Political Violence: Can It Be Justified?

Oct 27, 2025
Guest
Jeff McMahan
In this discussion, Jeff McMahan, Professor of Moral Philosophy at Oxford, dives deep into the murky waters of political violence. He defines its parameters, distinguishing it from war and questioning if actions like genocide qualify as such. McMahan examines whether political violence can ever be justified, highlighting cases like Palestinian resistance and the ethics surrounding political assassinations, including the controversial Charlie Kirk case. He also tackles the ramifications of celebrating murders and debates the consequences for those expressing radical political views, emphasizing context.
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INSIGHT

Violence Often Backfires In Democracies

  • Political violence in democracies tends to be counterproductive because it creates martyrs and provokes outrage and revenge.
  • Assassinations often strengthen successors and polarize societies instead of solving wrongdoing.
ANECDOTE

Occupation Example: Gaza And West Bank

  • McMahan describes the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank as a paradigm of political injustice deserving nonviolent resistance.
  • He argues Palestinian terrorism was self-defeating and a Gandhi-like movement might have achieved a state earlier.
INSIGHT

On October 7th And Terrorism's Costs

  • Hamas's October 7 attack targeted civilians and constituted terrorism that McMahan finds morally unjustifiable and counterproductive.
  • He stresses such violence predictably causes far greater suffering for Palestinians and hardens international attitudes against them.
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