In various instances, countries, regional organizations, and the United Nations have resorted to the use of sanctions as a foreign policy, as a tool for geopolitics, in order to influence the behavior of targeted states. Numerous researches and analyses have been conducted to observe and understand the effectiveness and impact of sanctions, and subsequently dismissed them as either effective, ineffective, or counterproductive to their intended objectives.
This dissertation seeks to address the aforementioned question; in particular, whether sanctions remain to be an option as a geopolitical tool to influence the behavior of targeted states? The core of this dissertation consists of three case studies: first, sanctions on Russian Federation (2014-present); sanctions on Iran (1979 – present, 2006, 2012 – 2016); and, US trade embargo on Cuba (1960 – present). These case studies have been analyzed from the structural point of view to understand its specifics, background, and plausible retaliation by the state. Then, the technical results achieved by the sanctions are reviewed, and their weaknesses are highlighted. Lastly, numerous relevant arguments are provided to reinforce the conclusion.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 What are sanctions?
1.2 Different types of sanctions
1.3 Why do we need sanctions?
2. Methodology
3. Case study: Russian Federation
3.1 Background
3.1.1 Pro-Russian unrest and Russian military intervention in Ukraine
3.1.2 Crimea and Russian military intervention
3.2 Sanctions and their extent
3.2.1 Russian political response
3.3 Analysis
3.4 Falling Ruble and Central Bank intervention
3.5 Housing market
3.6 Retaliation and Conclusion
4. Case study: Islamic Republic of Iran
4.1 Background
4.2 EU-UN led sanctions: Background
4.3 Aftermath and impact
4.4 The Oil Economy
4.5 Economic Growth amidst sanctions
4.6 Currency fluctuations
4.7 Conclusion
5. Case study: Republic of Cuba
5.1 Background
5.2 Impact
5.3 Current scenario
6. Conclusion
6.1 Arguments for effectiveness of sanctions
6.2 Survey: Domestic perception on effect of sanctions
6.3 Final words
7. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Focus
This thesis examines the effectiveness of international economic sanctions as a geopolitical instrument used to influence the behavior of targeted states. By analyzing three distinct case studies—the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Cuba—the research aims to determine whether such sanctions successfully achieve their intended political objectives or if they are ultimately counterproductive to both the target states and the global economy.
- The role of economic sanctions as a tool of foreign policy and geopolitics.
- A comparative analysis of sanctions imposed on Russia, Iran, and Cuba.
- The macroeconomic impacts, including GDP fluctuations, currency stability, and energy sector performance.
- Evaluation of counter-sanctions and the ability of target states to form alternative trade alliances.
- Assessment of domestic public perception regarding the impact of sanctions.
Excerpt from the Thesis
1.1 What are sanctions?
Individuals and entities within a country are expected and obliged to follow the set of rules and regulations within the country. These rules and regulations are usually enshrined and encoded in the form of text, and form the national law of that country. All individuals and entities resident in a particular state, unless exempted, are bound by these set of laws that well defined, and are supposed to work for running the country and for the common interests of its people.
Countries and States, on the other hand, are bound by certain obligations to each other under an umbrella term - international law. International law, as according to the United Nations, defines the legal responsibilities of States in their conduct with each other, and their treatment of the individuals within the State boundaries. States might be bounded to follow these laws by signing or being part of treaties, conventions, and universally accepted human rights, that majority of the world agrees upon.
In case of erga omnes (applying to all) international obligations, breaching a certain obligation attracts the independent appliance of certain penalties and subsequently the obligation to repair the material prejudices that have been caused. However, unlike national law - where those who violate domestic laws receive a punishment deemed appropriate by the court - international law has no explicitly defined enforcement mechanism for violations or misconduct. Nonetheless, United Nations charter, or more specifically, Article 41 under Chapter VII, covers enforcement measures not including the use of armed force that form the basis of international law.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Defines sanctions as legal and political instruments and explores their types and historical rationale in public international law.
2. Methodology: Outlines the quantitative approach and the use of surveys to measure the domestic economic impact and public perception of sanctions.
3. Case study: Russian Federation: Analyzes the impact of sanctions following the 2014 Ukrainian crisis, focusing on GDP growth, ruble volatility, and the Russian response through trade diversification.
4. Case study: Islamic Republic of Iran: Examines how sanctions impacted Iran’s oil-dependent economy and how subsequent international negotiations led to the removal of UN-EU sanctions.
5. Case study: Republic of Cuba: Investigates the long-term effects of the US embargo and the influence of the Soviet Union’s collapse on the Cuban economy.
6. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings to argue that economic sanctions are often ineffective and counterproductive, frequently failing to influence state behavior while causing humanitarian and economic strain.
7. Bibliography: Lists the academic, institutional, and news sources referenced throughout the dissertation.
Keywords
Sanctions, trade, embargo, economics, geopolitics, international relations, macroeconomic indicators, Russia, Iran, Cuba, foreign policy, GDP, currency, energy security, trade diversification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This thesis explores the practical effectiveness of international economic sanctions as a geopolitical tool and assesses their impact on the economies of Russia, Iran, and Cuba.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The work covers international law, macroeconomic analysis, energy economics, geopolitical strategy, and the domestic socio-political consequences of foreign policy interventions.
What is the central research question?
The research asks whether economic sanctions remain a feasible option for geopolitical influence, or if they primarily serve to harm ordinary citizens without altering the behavior of the targeted states.
Which methodology is employed?
The study uses a quantitative analysis of macroeconomic indicators and supplements this with an anonymous survey to gauge domestic public perception of sanctions in Russia.
What does the main body address?
The main body contains detailed case studies, examining the specific political and economic contexts of the sanctioning regimes applied to Russia, Iran, and Cuba, and their subsequent macroeconomic reactions.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The key themes include sanctions, embargoes, economic impact, geopolitical strategy, international relations, and specifically the national economic cases of Russia, Iran, and Cuba.
How do oil prices influence the economic impact of sanctions in Russia and Iran?
The thesis argues that global oil price volatility often has a more significant impact on the GDP and currency of these states than the sanctions themselves, making it difficult to isolate the economic damage caused purely by political interventions.
What conclusion is drawn regarding the effectiveness of sanctions?
The research concludes that economic sanctions are largely ineffective for achieving foreign policy goals and are often counterproductive, leading to economic strain that can be partially mitigated by target states through alternative trade alliances.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Archit Pandey (Autor:in), 2016, International Sanctions. Macroeconomic effects and retaliation, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343359
