The modern world can be characterized as a complex system of social connections ranging at different levels. One of the highest levels among them is the relationship between the countries. In general, this relationship aims at cooperation, but there are cases when certain countries act hostile regarding the neighboring ones. In cases of such hostility, the others may use different instruments to prevent it. One of the organizations, which are responsible for the economic, political and social regulations in the world, is the United Nations Organization. It was established after World War II in order to restrain the worldwide military tensions and maintain peaceful resolutions in the world. Thus, UNO uses mostly economic and social tools in order to achieve its aims. That is why most of the countries participate in it and rely on its decisions and resolutions in case of conflicts. The major task of the UN is preventing wars. However, if certain states favor destructive international politics, the UN may use sanctions. Such sanctions may be also introduced into separate countries, which want to oppose the negative activity of particular states. Therefore, this paper dwells on the topic of the nature of sanctions, the reasons for their introduction, and the mechanisms of their functioning. The analysis of these aspects leads to the understanding of the basic principles of worldwide regulation and interaction between the countries.
Sanctions and their Origin
Before characterizing the impact of sanctions and their role in the world, one needs to understand their nature. Experts define sanctions as a tool, which is used by countries or international organizations with the aim of persuading the changes in a particular government or their groups. Sanctions force these stakeholders to change their policy by means of restricting the capabilities of their commercial activity such as trade, investment, and others. For instance, the gravest need for sanctions is justified in case certain countries perform the activities aiming to create weapons of mass destruction. Other similar reasons are associated with the violation of human rights or principles of international trade. Typically, sanctions aimed at undermining the economy of the target state. As a result, the deteriorated economy restrains any activity of the country creating internal political, social, and economic pressure. Consequently, an adequate leader or a leading group of such state refuses from the violations, which leads to international agreements and termination of international sanctions. At the same time, the extent and the term of the sanctions depend on the severity of the violation (Kolodkin). For instance, in some cases, they may affect a certain industry or financial operations performed by particular banks in the targeted country. The example of this is economic sanctions, which are the removal of customary trade and financial relations for foreign and security policy purposes. Likewise, the severest sanctions mean the break of any economic and political relations, which leads to the country’s isolation. Sanctions are implemented through the refusal of the economic, political or social stakeholders of the initiating state with its counterparts from other states. As a rule, sanctions have a strong basis and are thoroughly evaluated before their implementation. The reason for them is that the international organization or countries applying them should be assured that the implemented measure would affect the targeted state.
Furthermore, sanctions may vary in terms of their types. Thus, there are such types of sanctions as arms and related materials embargo, asset freeze, export/import restrictions, financial prohibitions, technical assistance prohibition, and other related measures. When applied, arms embargo prevents various weaponry and related devices from their import or export to and from the targeted state. Such sanctions may be imposed under the United Nations Act (UNA) or the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA). However, the import or export of non-lethal military gear used by human rights personnel might be an exclusion from this rule. Furthermore, assets freeze prevents business entities or governments from obtaining access to their financial accounts, which they may hold under jurisdictions of the i