Journal of Economic Perspectives
ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)
Economic Sanctions: Evolution, Consequences, and Challenges
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 37,
no. 1, Winter 2023
(pp. 3–30)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
Taking an interdisciplinary perspective, we examine the evolution of economic sanctions in the post-World War II era and reflect on the lessons that could be drawn from their features and patterns of use. We observe that, during this time, there has been a remarkable increase in the use of sanctions as an instrument of foreign policy. We classify this period into four 'eras' and discuss, in this context, how the evolution of sanctions may be linked to salient features of the contemporaneous international political and economic orders. Our review of the related literatures in economics and political science suggests, among other things, that our understanding of sanction processes could be significantly advanced by marrying these perspectives. We conclude by identifying several questions and challenges, and by discussing how interdisciplinary research could address them.Citation
Morgan, T. Clifton, Constantinos Syropoulos, and Yoto V. Yotov. 2023. "Economic Sanctions: Evolution, Consequences, and Challenges." Journal of Economic Perspectives 37 (1): 3–30. DOI: 10.1257/jep.37.1.3Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- F13 Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
- F51 International Conflicts; Negotiations; Sanctions
- N40 Economic History: Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation: General, International, or Comparative
- N70 Economic History: Transport, International and Domestic Trade, Energy, Technology, and Other Services: General, International, or Comparative