Sanctions, Sovereignty & Power: Is Multilateralism Being Hijacked?

 In the chessboard of international politics, economic sanctions have become a favourite move. They're pitched as a peaceful yet powerful way to punish "rogue nations", those accused of violating human rights, pursuing nuclear weapons, or undermining democratic principles. On the surface, it's a smart alternative to war. But look a little deeper, and a troubling pattern emerges.

Sanctions, once tools of global accountability, are increasingly being used as instruments of manipulation and control, often serving the interests of powerful nations rather than shared global values. This blog explores the delicate dance between multilateralism, sanctions, and sovereignty, and why we need to pay closer attention to who's calling the shots.

🌐 The Ideal: Sanctions as Collective Justice

In theory, multilateralism is about cooperation among nations, ensuring that no single country dominates the global agenda. Sanctions, when imposed by groups like the United Nations or European Union, are meant to reflect a shared moral stance against injustice or aggression.

If a country is funding terrorism, invading its neighbour, or ignoring human rights obligations, sanctions allow the world to respond in unison, without dropping bombs.

Sounds fair, right? It would be—if that’s how things always worked.

🕴️ The Reality: Sanctions as a Tool of Hegemony

In practice, sanctions are rarely neutral. Powerful countries, particularly the United States and its close allies, often drive these decisions. Through their influence in institutions like the UN Security Council, they shape which nations get punished and which ones are given a pass.

Take countries like Iran, Venezuela, Russia, or Cuba, they’ve faced severe, long-lasting sanctions. But what about strategic allies with equally questionable records? Suddenly, the global "rules" become negotiable.

This is where hegemonic behaviour creeps in. Sanctions aren't always about defending human rights or global peace; sometimes, they’re about punishing countries for choosing a different political path or economic model.

🏛️ Sovereignty: The Silent Casualty

One of the most dangerous consequences of sanctions is their undermining of national sovereignty. In principle, sovereignty means a country has the right to manage its affairs without foreign interference. Sanctions, however, often cripple a nation's economy, block its access to global systems, and disrupt the daily lives of its citizens.

When sanctions target essential sectors like medicine, finance, or food, they move from being a diplomatic tool to being an economic stranglehold.

This is particularly true in the Global South, where economic fragility and dependency make countries especially vulnerable to external pressure. Sanctions, then, become a new kind of imperialism: invisible, indirect, but deeply disruptive.

⚖️ Can Sanctions Ever Be Fair?

Yes, but only if we rethink how they're designed and who decides on them. Here are a few ideas to keep sanctions from becoming just another way to dominate the world stage:

1. Transparency: The criteria for imposing sanctions must be clear, consistent, and publicly accountable.
2. Balance of Power: Global decision-making bodies (like the UN Security Council) need reform to avoid being dominated by a few countries.
3. Human Impact Reviews: Sanctions should be regularly reviewed to ensure they don’t cause unnecessary suffering.
4. Diplomacy First: Sanctions should be a last resort, not a first response. Dialogue must always be on the table.

🚨 Why This Matters Now

We live in a time of rising global tension, shifting alliances, and growing calls for a multipolar world, one where no single country dictates terms. But if sanctions continue to be used as tools of punishment rather than platforms for reform, we risk turning multilateralism into a stage for power politics, rather than shared progress.

It's time to ask ourselves:
Are we using sanctions to protect peace, or to project power?

Final Thought
True multilateralism should reflect collective interests, not hegemonic ambitions. If we are serious about fairness, justice, and cooperation, we must be equally serious about how we use (and misuse) the tools of global diplomacy, starting with economic sanctions.

🗨️ What’s your take on the use of sanctions in global politics? Do they work, or are they just a modern mask for old-school power play? Share your thoughts below.