Determinants of the Success of Economic Sanctions: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract

Do economic sanctions against target countries work as sender countries intend? If so, what factors make the positive outcomes possible in economic sanctions? Using quantitative methods with the extensive data collection on economic sanctions cases, this study tests a set of hypotheses derived from previous research on the topic and from other theories in the field of international relations. The empirical analyses of this study provide some new findings that were not revealed through previous research on the subject. First, economic sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom were more likely to succeed. Second, economic sanctions imposed in response to human rights abuses in target countries were less likely to succeed. Finally, the results of this study provide evidence to support the democratic peace theory: the democratic regime type of the sender nation had a positive impact on the success of economic sanctions.