SOURCE C:
Making sanctions effective

Sanctions are a method to resolving international disputes and conflicts. However, some criticise them for not being effective because:

• those in power, in countries against which sanctions are operated, may respond by becoming more oppressive; those who oppose their rule are often targeted
• sanctions often hurt the poor and not those in power
• sanctions are not enforced consistently.

QUESTION:
With reference to Source C, discuss how sanctions could be made more effective.

One way to make sanctions more effective is to ensure they target those in power, not the general population. The source states that 'sanctions often hurt the poor and not those in power'. Therefore, 'smart sanctions' could be used, such as freezing the foreign bank accounts of specific government leaders or banning them from international travel, which would pressure the leadership directly without harming ordinary citizens. A second way, based on the source, is to enforce them consistently. The source criticises that 'sanctions are not enforced consistently'. To make them more effective, a united international approach is needed where all major countries agree to and enforce the same sanctions. This would prevent the targeted country from simply trading with other nations that are not participating, thus increasing the economic pressure.