Making Sanctions Smart Again

1. Wednesday – 13.03.2024 (online)  
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST)
2. Wednesday – 20.03.2024 (online) 
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST)
3. Wednesday – 27.03.2024 (online) 
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 
4. Wednesday – 03.04.2024 (online)
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 
5. Wednesday – 10.04.2024 (online) 
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 
6. Wednesday – 17.04.2024 (online)
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 
7. Wednesday - 24.04.2024 (online)
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 
8. Wednesday - 08.05.2024 (online)
   15.30 – 17.00 (Local time in Poland – CEST) 
   17.00 – 17.45 (Local time in Poland – CEST)  

Sanctions (Uniltateral Coercive Measures) are political and economic instruments meant to deter belligerent behaviour without the use of direct military intervention. They are economic weapons meant to deter bloodshed in the field, but they come with consequences.

Overcompliance with sanctions regimes can lead to a series of humanitarian consequences that can be felt, but poorly understood. Sanctions have also been blamed for increases in forced migration and enabling militant extremism.

This workshop explores the debate of whether sanctions can be effective as a tool of peacebuilding, or if they only compound humanitarian concerns and lead to unexpected consequences on civilian populations.

In this workshop students will work with Dr. Robert Huish of Dalhousie University to learn about the history and theory of sanctions and then run through a series of case studies that test the morality and integrity of sanctions.

Students will be expected to present their own case study on a heavily sanctioned nation, work together on a group project of building a “smart sanction”, and finally presenting a formal research essay based on their selected heavily sanctioned nation.2

Required Reading:

TBD

Communication & Office Hours:

For any matters arising from the course, please first contact Dr. Robert Huish (huish@dal.ca). Dr. Huish will be able to best direct your inquiry and, if necessary, connect you with the right resources needed.

COURSE OUTLINE:

WEEK 1: UNDERSTANDING SANCTIONS

Lecture: What are Unilateral Coercive Measures, and do they work?

Reading:

Discussion:

Learning Objectives:

WEEK 2: THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF SANCTIONS

Lecture: The theory and history of sanctions in a globalized world.

Reading:

Discussion:

Learning Objectives:

WEEK 3: THE RISE OF SANCTIONS

Lecture: Championing Sanctions in the 1990s & The Rise of Shadow

Economies

Reading:

Tutorial:

Learning Objectives:

WEEK 4: HUMANITARIAN HURT & RESILIENCE

Lecture: Chronicle of Cuba: Resilience & Solidarity amid sanctions.

Reading:

Tutorial:

Learning Objectives:3

WEEK 5: SANCTIONS AND NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION

Lecture: Chronicle of North Korea: The Rise of the Mafia Sate

Reading:

Tutorial:

Learning Objectives

WEEK 6: THE PLACE OF SANCTIONS IN CURRENT CONFLICTS

Lecture: Chronicle of Current Conflicts: Russia – Ukraine; Israel – Hamas:

Can we guarantee humanitarianism with sanctions)?

Reading:

Tutorial:

Learning Objectives:

WEEK 7: STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

Reading: To be assigned by students.

Tutorial:

Learning Objectives

WEEK 8: STUDENT PRESENTATIONS

Reading: To be assigned by students.

Tutorial:

Learning Objectives: