sanction

Sanction is a measure imposed by a government or international body intended to influence the behavior of another state, organization, or individual. In common usage, sanctions refer to penalties or restraints such as trade restrictions, asset freezes, and travel bans; the term can also mean official permission or authorization granted by a competent authority.

Sanctions can be domestic or international. Domestic sanctions are penalties prescribed by a country’s own laws to deter or punish violations. International sanctions are policies adopted by states or international organizations to compel changes in another government’s behavior. They can be targeted, aiming at a specific regime, or comprehensive, affecting broad sectors of the economy. Instruments include economic restrictions, arms embargoes, financial restrictions, and visa or travel bans.

Common instruments and mechanisms include arms embargoes, trade restrictions, financial sanctions (such as asset freezes and restrictions on banking transactions), and travel prohibitions. Sanctions regimes may be created by individual states, coalitions of states, or international bodies like the United Nations or regional organizations. Enforcement relies on licensing systems, customs controls, and lists designating sanctioned entities. Many regimes incorporate humanitarian exemptions to allow essential goods and services to reach civilians.

Effects and criticisms are mixed. Sanctions can pressure governments to change policies but often impose costs on ordinary people and may lead to unintended consequences, such as humanitarian hardship or evasion. Their effectiveness depends on enforcement, the resilience of the targeted economy, and the political will of sanctioning actors. Debates continue over optimal design, scope, and the risk of politicization.

Examples include UN and Western sanctions on Iraq in the 1990s, apartheid-era South Africa, and more recent measures targeting Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The term “sanction” may also denote official permission granted by a competent authority.