Sanctions as War: Anti-Imperialist Perspectives on American Geo-Economic Strategy

Sanctions as War provides a comprehensive account of economic sanctions as a tool for American power, examining their theory, history, and case studies of sanctions against Iraq, Venezuela, and other nations. It highlights the devastating impact of sanctions on innocent lives and civil society.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 412 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: Haymarket Books

Sanctions as War: A Comprehensive Account of Economic Sanctions as a Tool for American Power on the Global Stage
Economic sanctions have been used by the United States as a tool for exercising American power on the global stage since the 1980s. These sanctions involve the imposition of extensive financial penalties for violation of given rules, and have been levied against over 25 other countries. While perceived as a less costly and damaging alternative to kinetic military engagement, economic sanctions have destroyed thousands of innocent lives and wreaked inestimable damages to civil society.

This collection offers chapters that address the theory and history of economic sanctions as well as chapter-length case studies of sanctions exercised against the civilian populations of Iraq, Venezuela, and other nations. Contributors include Shireen Al-Adeimi, Tim Beal, Renate Bridenthal, Jesse Bucher, Stuart Davis, Gregory Elich, Manu Karuka, Jeremy Kuzmarov, Fangfei Lin, Washington Mazorodze, Tanner Mirrlees, Corinna Mullin, Junki Nakahara, Nima Nakhaei, Immanuel Ness, Sarah Raymundo, Muhammad Sahimi, Saif Shahin, Greg Shupak, Gregory Wilpert, Zhun Xu, Helen Yaffe, and others.

The book begins by examining the historical context of economic sanctions, tracing their origins back to the Cold War era and the United States' use of economic sanctions against the Soviet Union. It then explores the various types of economic sanctions, including trade sanctions, financial sanctions, and sanctions targeting specific industries or sectors.

One of the key themes of the book is the impact of economic sanctions on innocent civilians. Economic sanctions can have a devastating effect on the lives of ordinary people, particularly in developing countries where access to basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine is already limited. Sanctions can lead to food shortages, malnutrition, and disease, and can also cause economic instability and political unrest.

The book also examines the effectiveness of economic sanctions as a war-making strategy. While economic sanctions can be effective in achieving certain political goals, they can also be counterproductive and lead to unintended consequences. For example, sanctions can create a sense of resentment and hostility towards the targeted country, which can lead to further conflict and instability.

In addition to the theoretical and historical aspects of economic sanctions, the book also provides practical insights into the implementation of sanctions. It discusses the challenges that governments face in implementing sanctions, including the need to ensure that sanctions are targeted effectively and that they do not harm innocent civilians. It also explores the role of international organizations in monitoring and enforcing sanctions, and the potential for sanctions to be used as a tool for political leverage.

One of the most significant case studies in the book is the sanctions imposed on Iraq by the United States and its allies in the early 2000s. The sanctions were designed to force Iraq to comply with United Nations resolutions related to its weapons of mass destruction program, but they had a devastating impact on the civilian population. The sanctions led to a massive humanitarian crisis, with millions of people dying of starvation and disease.

The book also examines the sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the United States and its allies in the early 2010s. The sanctions were designed to force Venezuela to comply with United Nations resolutions related to its political crisis, but they had a devastating impact on the civilian population. The sanctions led to a massive economic crisis, with millions of people losing their jobs and their savings.

In conclusion, Sanctions as War offers a comprehensive account of economic sanctions as a tool for exercising American power on the global stage. While economic sanctions can be effective in achieving certain political goals, they can also be counterproductive and lead to unintended consequences. The book provides practical insights into the implementation of sanctions, and the role of international organizations in monitoring and enforcing sanctions. It is essential reading for anyone interested in the history and politics of economic sanctions.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642598124