Establishing democracy in Iraq is a worthy goal, but is war the best way to achieve it? A weak government replacing Saddam's regime might invite civil war and widespread human suffering, while a strong government could replicate the current tyranny. In most cases, democracy must grow gradually from within. Outsiders can help, but they cannot impose democracy.

The president's new national security strategy has shifted the emphasis from deterrence to pre-emption. Pre-emption is a significant departure from past policy. Such a fundamental shift in American policy requires serious debate. Deterrence has worked even in the face of far more serious and immediate threats.

We can monitor Iraq and still be prepared to invade Iraq if it threatens to attack the United States or other nations. Working with its friends and allies, the United States can contain Iraqi military forces and any weapons of mass destruction until there is clear evidence Saddam is prepared to use them.

Just war theory, international law and the U.N. Charter all agree that states can defend themselves. But when undertaking a pre-emptive attack, states must show necessity and immediacy. These are not just fancy words. Many conservatives and liberals alike question the urgency of the Iraqi danger, and they question the legality of a preventive war waged by the United States. An attack on Iraq by the United States would set a dangerous precedent of pre-emptive war. Many nations will judge an American preventive attack as unjustified.

A U.S. invasion will weaken the commitment of all nations to the rule of law and international cooperation. Why should we care? Because it is in our interest to use our military might wisely and, whenever possible, to support international law and to work with other nations to reduce violence and lack of respect for fundamental human rights. It is not in our national interest to be the world's policeman. We cannot afford to take on the task of removing all the world's tyrants who possess weapons of mass destruction.

We oppose this war at this time. We realize that just before the November 2002 election, Congress gave President Bush the authority to enforce U.N. Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq and to use any means to defend U.S. national security interests. Even so, in a democracy, continued public debate is essential. We urge members of Congress to review their support for a pre-emptive attack on Iraq, and we urge citizens to engage more fully in a discussion of our vital national interests.

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The authors are members of the department of political science at Brigham Young University and provide affiliation for purposes of identification only. Their views do not represent the department, BYU or its sponsoring church.