But for the framework to have the desired restraining effect on statesmen and warmakers, it has to marry practicality to idealism, and strike enough of a balance between the two to make it seem applicable to real-world crises. And if it's important not to stretch the theory to justify any goal or end you seek, it's also important not to narrow it to the point where it seems so unrealistic and disconnected from the realities of war that policymakers will feel comfortable ignoring it.
From a fascinating debate happening on the Atlantic blogs (this a post by Ross Douthat) and elsewhere. See also Andrew Sullivan's discussion of the same issue. I'll post my thoughts on this matter more, later, maybe after some riveting discussion following Adunare's paper.