Economic sanctions: the kinder, gentler alternative?

Abstract

Economic sanctions are often considered to be a legitimate, more peaceful alternative to war. Using examples, particularly that of Iraq, it is evident that this is not necessarily so. As attempts are made to design coercion on nation states short of war, we must heed these examples and consider sanctions as a form of siege warfare. This paper attempts to refine criteria to allow the imposition of sanctions. These would be similar to those allowing the imposition of war. In the realm of international governance, not only must sanctions be employed by the authority of international society, after other less coercive measures have been attempted, they must be supported by the people whom they are meant to protect, and efforts must be made to minimise and to monitor their consequences.

Keywords:

• Iraq
• just war
• responsibility to protect
• sanctions
• war