Trends in Political Science Research: <i>Economic Sanctions</i>

In the aftermath of World War I, sanctions were viewed as a less violent alternative to military retaliation. However, this belief was challenged when the sanctions imposed by the Allied powers on the Axis countries worsened living conditions, contributing to the outbreak of World War II. Over time, the scope of economic sanctions has expanded, extending beyond purely economic impacts to encompass significant social and political consequences. As a result, there is a rapidly growing body of multidisciplinary literature examining these broader implications. This article reviews the current state of research on economic sanctions and the themes related to it. It explores the factors that influence the effectiveness of sanctions, the relationship between domestic political and economic interests that determines the trajectory of sanctions, and the broader societal and political externalities they produce. The article offers a necessary assessment and organization of a dynamic and evolving research field that crosses multiple disciplinary boundaries.