negative sanction

In international relations, a negative sanction is a restriction imposed by one government on another, an organization, or an individual. These restrictions, which can include trade limitations, travel bans, or asset freezes, are intended to compel or prevent specific actions or policies.1

Historically, embargoes and blockades have been used as forms of economic sanctions since ancient times, with Athens imposing a trade blockade on Megara before the Peloponnesian War. Modern sanctions can be enacted by individual countries or international alliances like the United Nations.1

While sanctions aim to influence behavior, they are often criticized for disproportionately harming ordinary citizens rather than their intended targets. The effectiveness of sanctions is complex, with success depending on clearly defined goals and a comparison of costs and benefits against alternative actions.12