This is a course on a subject that is of great practical interest. The main question of interest is: do economic sanctions work? We will hear what critics and proponents have to say and will try to adjudicate the debate. We will look at illustrations of how sanctions are used, and of what they achieve. We will discuss the ethical and practical questions that arise when choosing to use sanctions, and the merits of alternative policies such as doing nothing or applying military force. We will review a set of cases: do sanctions ever bring democracy (Myanmar)? Do sanctions tame nuclear ambitions (Iran)? Do sanctions help deal with civil wars (Syria)?

Reading will be 80-100 pages a week, generally, with the final, shortened reading list to be determined by first day of class.