Analyzing the Utility of Sanctions

While some observers continue to argue that “sanctions never work,” we agree with most scholars that the key question is when, not whether, sanctions work. What types of goals are relatively more likely to be advanced with economic sanctions? Which targets are most vulnerable? How should sanctions be imposed to maximize effectiveness? In this chapter we describe the framework we use to address these questions, as well as the explanatory variables we include in that framework. First, however, we summarize the key parameters that define a sanctions episode and its outcome.