What do sanctions or trade embargoes aim to achieve?

Sanctions or trade embargoes are primarily implemented as strategic tools by countries or international bodies to exert pressure on a nation or regime to change its behaviors or policies. The goal is often to influence a shift in political decisions or actions that are deemed unacceptable by the employing body, such as human rights violations, aggression towards other countries, or the pursuit of prohibited activities like nuclear weapons development.

By restricting trade, financial transactions, or other economic interactions, the intent is to create economic hardship that may motivate the targeted country’s leaders to alter their policies in response to international norms or demands. This approach relies on the principle that the economic consequences of sanctions will lead to pressure from within the affected country, as citizens and businesses experience the negative impacts of reduced trade and economic isolation.

In contrast, options related to increasing trade, enhancing economic growth, or supporting free-market competition do not align with the purpose of sanctions or trade embargoes. Rather than promoting open markets or economic expansion, these measures specifically aim to disrupt normal economic activities to achieve political objectives.