Sanctions

Definition

Sanctions are economic and political measures taken by one or more countries against another country, individual, or entity in order to pressure them to comply with international laws, norms, or specific demands. They are a key instrument of foreign policy used to influence the behavior of the targeted party.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sanctions can take the form of trade restrictions, asset freezes, travel bans, and other financial/economic measures.
2. The goal of sanctions is to coerce the target to change its policies or behavior without the use of military force.
3. Sanctions are often implemented through international organizations like the United Nations or by coalitions of countries.
4. Comprehensive sanctions target an entire country, while targeted or 'smart' sanctions focus on specific individuals, entities, or sectors.
5. The effectiveness of sanctions depends on factors like the strength of the international coalition, the economic dependence of the target, and the willingness of the target to withstand the pressure.

Review Questions

• Explain how sanctions relate to the concept of foreign policy as defined in Topic 17.1.
  • Sanctions are a key instrument of foreign policy as described in Topic 17.1. They allow countries to exert economic and political pressure on other states, individuals, or entities without resorting to military force. Sanctions are used to influence the behavior and policies of the targeted party, which is a central goal of foreign policy. By imposing sanctions, countries can signal their disapproval of certain actions and try to coerce the target to change course, aligning with the country's foreign policy objectives.
• Analyze how sanctions, as a foreign policy instrument, can be used to achieve specific goals outlined in Topic 17.2.
  • As discussed in Topic 17.2, foreign policy instruments can be used to achieve various goals, such as promoting national security, protecting economic interests, and upholding international norms. Sanctions, as a foreign policy tool, can be employed to address these objectives. For example, sanctions can be used to punish a country for violating international laws, deter it from engaging in further undesirable behavior, and compel it to change its policies. Sanctions can also be used to protect a country's economic interests by limiting the flow of goods, services, or capital to and from a target. Additionally, sanctions can be a means of signaling a country's commitment to upholding international norms and rules-based order, serving as a diplomatic pressure tactic.
• Evaluate the potential effectiveness and limitations of sanctions as a foreign policy instrument in achieving desired outcomes.
  • The effectiveness of sanctions as a foreign policy tool depends on a variety of factors, as outlined in Topic 17.2. While sanctions can be a powerful instrument to influence the behavior of a target, their success is not guaranteed. Factors such as the strength of the international coalition implementing the sanctions, the economic dependence of the target on the sanctioning countries, and the target's willingness to withstand the pressure can all impact the effectiveness of sanctions. Sanctions may also have unintended consequences, such as harming the civilian population of the target country or provoking retaliatory actions. Additionally, sanctions may be less effective against authoritarian regimes that can insulate themselves from external economic pressure. Therefore, the use of sanctions requires careful consideration of their potential effectiveness and limitations in achieving the desired foreign policy objectives.

Related terms

Embargo:

A complete prohibition on trade with a particular country or on the export/import of specific goods.

Tariffs:

Taxes imposed on imported goods, used to make foreign products more expensive and less competitive.

Diplomatic Pressure: The use of diplomatic means, such as threats or negotiations, to influence a country's actions.