2009/12/01 by Navin A. Bapat, T. Clifton Morgan, Tony Morgan · 228 citations
Economics, Econometrics and Finance · Psychology · #Argument (complex analysis) #Counterintuitive #Economic Sanctions and International Relations #Economic sanctions #Economics #Empirical research #Intuition #Law #Law and economics #Political science #Psychology #Sanctions #Test (biology)
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2478.2009.00569.x
published in International Studies Quarterly 53(4), 1075-1094 (Oxford University Press)
openalex publication_date 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Policymakers frequently argue that multilateral sanctions are more likely to induce a target state to alter its behavior than are unilateral sanctions. Repeated empirical studies using the familiar Hufbauer, Schott, and Elliot data set demonstrate that unilateral sanctions “work” more often than multilateral sanctions, however. In this study, we subject three theoretical explanations for this counterintuitive finding to additional empirical testing utilizing the new Threat and Imposition of Economic Sanctions (TIES) data. Somewhat surprisingly, the analyses using these new data support the intuition of policymakers; that is, multilateral sanctions do appear to work more frequently than do unilateral sanctions. Our results do support one theoretical argument, based on spatial models, that we test. This explanation holds that whether multilateral or unilateral sanctions are more effective depends on the number of issues at stake and on whether an international institution is involved. Our analyses provide support for these hypotheses.