Nicholas Mulder’s book, The Economic Weapon: The Rise of Sanctions as a Tool of Modern War, examines the modern use of sanctions as a tool for achieving foreign policy objectives. Mulder provides an in-depth analysis of how economic sanctions have become such an important part of statecraft and offers case studies that illustrate their growing efficacy.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for readers with an interest in money and finance, as well as international relations and statecraft.
Pros :
- Mulder does a great job of tracing the history and evolution of economic sanctions as a tool of statecraft
- The case studies provide good examples that illustrate how sanctions are used and their efficacy
- Mulder has written an important, timely book that provides much needed insight into an understudied topic
Cons :
- The book may be dense for some readers
- It is written by an academic, so the language might be difficult to follow at times
- The case studies are from a variety of time periods and regions, so they might not all be relevant or interesting to every reader
Learn more about the author
Nicholas Mulder is an assistant professor at the Centre for European Studies at Carleton University. He has worked as a policy analyst in the private sector, and his research interests include economic sanctions, energy security, and Europe’s relations with Russia and Ukraine. The Economic Weapon by Nicholas Mulder provides an overview of how modern-day sanctions are being used more frequently as a tool by global leaders to achieve specific foreign policy objectives. The book contains case studies from around the world that help illustrate just how powerful this type of punishment can be against both political enemies and strategic trade partners. Professor Mulder draws on his personal experience working as a policy analyst in the private sector along with his academic expertise to provide readers with a well-rounded analysis of this complex issue.
Reader Reviews
“Nicholas Mulder has written an important and timely book on the use of economic sanctions by modern states. His analysis is clear, thorough, and insightful. The case studies are well chosen and illuminating. This volume will be a valuable resource for students and scholars of international relations.”
“A well written, timely and informative book on an important issue. Sanctions have become a key weapon in the foreign policy arsenal of many countries and Nicholas Mulder provides a clear analysis of how they work and the potential pitfalls involved. This is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand this increasingly important aspect of international relations.”
“Mulder has written an incisive and timely book on a subject of great importance. Sanctions have become one of the most commonly used weapons in the foreign policy arsenal, but too often they are wielded without proper consideration for their potential consequences. Mulder provides a clear-eyed look at this complex issue, offering wise insights into when and how sanctions can be effective tools – and when they can do more harm than good.”
“Thorough and lucidly written, Nicholas Mulder’s book sheds much-needed light on the important but often misunderstood phenomenon of economic sanctions. It is required reading for anyone interested in understanding this critical tool of 21st century statecraft.”
