The Effect of Economic Sanctions on Human Rights & Democracy

Abstract

The Effect of Economic Sanctions on Human Rights & Democracy 1978-2012 Javad Omati Department of International Commerce, the Graduate School, Pukyong National University

Abstract One major concern in the international economic sanctions is the potential problem of consequences of sanctions results. This paper seeks to explore the consequences of economic sanctions results (successful, positive, minor & failed outcomes) on the target countries human rights and democracy. We analyze the sanctions implemented by U.S.A & U.N based on the dataset of policy results index and the sanctions contribution results index qualitative analysis in Hufbauer, Schott, and Elliott [HSE 2008] by Probit-Statistical Method. The Imposition of Economic Sanctions (IES) includes 2675 cases in 71 countries during 35 years, since 1978 - 2012. This analysis evidence of consequences of economic sanctions results suggesting that sanctions played only a minor role in reaching the outcome. We reject the hypothesis that the sanctions and consequences jointly have no impact on Human Rights and Democracy, In other words, our judgment in these cases is that sanctions did not contribute importantly to the sender’s goals. When the government does not absolutely respect democracy, if sanctions are imposed, that country will be drawn more towards violation of human rights and democracy. Therefore we cannot easily reject the hypothesis that the sanctions and their consequences jointly have no impact on Human Rights and Democracy.