International Economic Sanctions: Historical Evolution And Theory

International economic sanctions are often used as a policy tool when the states implement foreign strategy in international relations, but only 20th century saw the large-scale use of economic sanctions. Heretofore, although the economic sanctions case had emerged as early as in ancient Greece, because of the low level of human development, economic sanctions were only occasionally used in international relations. From the history of economic sanctions used in international relations,it was found that economic sanctions use has relation with the level of social productive force development, which is in line with Marxism conclusion that the economic base determines the superstructure. After entrance into the 20th century, with economic sanctions in international relations employed more frequently, studies on economic sanctions are also increasing, but it is far from consensus, even on some basic concepts there are still different opinions. This paper titled "International Economic Sanctions: History Evolution and Theory Study" starts from the ancient Greek era of first occurrence of economic sanctions, through the detailed review on the development process of economic sanctions during various periods of history, trying to identify the factors making economic sanctions come into being and constraintsing the use of economic sanctions. This paper also gives a detailed analysis on the use of economic sanctions between the initiator and the target, trying to find their own goals and corresponding strategies, and such selection maybe bringing the influence on the initiator and the target and third-party. Finally, the paper discusses the possible development trends of international economic sanctions in the new situation of 21st century , making the conclusions that international economic sanctions will still exist for a long time, but its objectives role is changing.This paper falls into eight chapters. Exordium first introduces the topics of theoretical and practical significance, and then analyzing the concept and basic functions related to the international economic sanctions. With economic sanctions more and more frequently being used in foreign policy objective, the analysis on the function of economic sanctions is the premise of understanding the why economic sanctions are employed as foreign policy instrument so frequently . Exordium also introduces literature and the status quo on economic sanctions. On this basis, exordium sums up the basic study perspectives related to international economic sanctions,that is, from the political, legal and economic point of view, respectively introducing their research priorities and methods on international economic sanctions. Finally, Exordium presents the perspective, methods and structure of this paper.Chapter I recalls the development of international economic sanctions from emergence to the end of World War II,Analyzing why the economic sanctions first appeared in ancient Greece, why in a very long period of after then economic sanctions were used very limited, and their characteristics during different historical periods. The determining factor of economic sanctions development is the development of productive forces, raising the level of development of productive forces will promote the level of economic development, which improvs the world economic intercourse of various regions, so as to promote the use of economic sanctions.Chapter II reviews and sumsup the implementation of the economic sanctions during the Cold War. Based on the special international political and economic situation, economic sanctions are used during the Cold War with high frequency, and success rate is the highest during the period. This chapter also analyzes characteristics of economic sanctions during the Cold War,and why economic sanctions were employed frequently and more effectively during this period.Chapter III studies economic sanctions under conditions of increasingly deepening globalization. After the Cold War, the relaxation of the international political situation, the establishment of the World Trade Organization and the vigorous rise of the information revolution makes the 1990s a period of globalization and rapid development. The most obvious characteristic of globalization, in particular the deepening of economic globalization is the interdependence of countries around the world continue to strengthen, which makes a magical effect: the interdependence make the target more sensitive to economic sanctions, while also enhancing the target capacity to resist economic sanctions, because of more accessibility of the alternative goods and the market. In comparison, the target capacity resisting to economic sanctions increases faster, this is the reasons why the success rate of economic sanctions further declines in the Post-Cold War .Chapter IV analyzes the game between the initiator and the target when economic sanctions are implemented. The implementation process of economic sanctions is the process of the game between initiate and target. Because there are different ways of implementation and policy objectives, so selecting different combination of sanctions will directly affect the sanctions'effect.In order to minimize the economic impact of sanctions, The target will take according policy adjustments in accordance with the initiator sanction measures. Through the introduction of economic sanctions'type, form, function and role, chapter IV analyzes the factors which affect the effectiveness of economic sanctions, and the initiator and the target how to play the game.From the perspective of international politics and economic welfare, Chapter V analysizes the different influence which economic sanctions have on the initiator, the target and the third, and the impact on their foreign relations of concerning countries. The basic purpose of economic sanctions is through economic measures to correct some of the objectives'policy, the implementation of which will have influence on the initiator, the target and the related third-party countries, positive or negative. The influence of economic sanctions having on the related countries will also has impact on the countries'foreign relations, and then will have an effect on the game between the initiator and the target.Chapter VI introduces the development and change of economic sanctions under the conditions of deepening globalization. Since the 1990s,the tide of economic globalization forms a great impact on the economic sanctions'use and effectiveness, which makes the initiator to change ways and means of international economic sanctions. This change, on the one hand, can enhance the economic sanctions the effect. On the other hand, can also reduce the harm to civilians caused by economic sanctions, avoiding triggering a humanitarian crisis. Secondary Sanctions and Targeted Sanctions are two kind of important international sanctions since 1990's.Despite the sanctions ways has improved, but in conditions of globalization, the negative effect of economic sanctions become increasingly obvious . Comparatively speaking, economic incentives can meet the common interests of all countries more. As a strategic tool, economic incentive's role will be more important.Chapter VII summarized the papers, Raise the policy proposals of the developing countries how to cope with the international economic sanctions . The authors suggest that in the new historical conditions, it is necessary to learn how to correctly treat economic sanctions, and ,in order to effectively cope with economic sanctions, to learn more rational use of economic sanctions .Economic sanctions are not one country's patent, but one kind of policy tool. If used properly, economic sanctions can effectively protect users political and economic interests. For China, on the one hand, strong economic strength has made her cope with any form of economic sanctions. On the other hand, China should to learn the rational use of economic sanctions against such a policy tool.