BOOK RELEASE MEETING

Sanctions Success Is Possible But Not Common

Presentation at the book release meeting for Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 3rd edition

Gary Clyde Hufbauer, Peterson Institute for International Economics
Jeffrey J. Schott, Peterson Institute for International Economics
Kimberly Ann Elliott, Peterson Institute for International Economics
Barbara Oegg, Peterson Institute for International Economics

Peterson Institute for International Economics, Washington, DC

July 15, 2008

Summary

The Peterson Institute released an updated edition of its classic study, Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 3rd edition on July 15, 2008. The Peterson Institute has produced the definitive research on sanctions for 25 years. This revised edition by Gary Hufbauer, Jeffrey Schott, Kimberly Elliott, and Barbara Oegg analyzes the effectiveness of every sanctions case since World War I and offers updated policy recommendations for the 21st century.

Clockwise from upper left: Gary Hufbauer, Jeffrey Schott, Barbara Oegg,
and Kimberly Elliott

Key findings of the book include:

• Sanctions "succeed" in about one-third of cases overall.
• Partial achievement of foreign policy goals is far more common than total achievement.
• Diversified sanctions—a mix of trade and financial—are more successful than trade-only measures.

Key recommendations include:

• Don't bite off more than you can chew. Policymakers need to have realistic expectations of what sanctions can accomplish.
• Friends are more likely than foes to comply. Sanctions are most effective when aimed at allies and trading partners.
• Beware autocratic regimes. Bullying bullies with sanctions is generally an ineffective strategy.

Event Materials

Audio | Video

Book: Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 3rd edition

News Release: Sanctions Success Is Possible But Not Common

In Brief: Economic Sanctions Reconsidered, 3rd edition [pdf]

Presentation: Economic Sanctions: New Directions for the 21st Century [pdf]

Selected case studies available online