Open to Debate Are Sanctions An Effective Policy Tool?
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Jul 1, 2025 Join Leopoldo Lopez, a Venezuelan opposition leader and pro-democracy activist, along with Artie McConnell, a former federal prosecutor, and Christopher Sabatini, a senior fellow at Chatham House, as they dive into the complex world of sanctions. They debate the effectiveness of these policies in challenging authoritarian regimes. Lopez shares personal stories of resistance from within Venezuela, while the group discusses the unintended consequences on civilians and the importance of a nuanced approach. Can sanctions truly promote democracy, or do they merely exacerbate suffering?
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Leopoldo Lopez's Personal Experience
- Leopoldo Lopez shares his personal experience as a Venezuelan imprisoned and exiled due to repression.
- He emphasizes sanctions as part of a strategic framework to pressure regimes toward democracy.
Sanctions and Regime Type
- Sanctions succeed more in semi-democratic countries than in autocratic regimes.
- Autocrats often use sanctions to consolidate assets and strengthen their power base.
Enforcement Drives Sanctions' Impact
- Sanctions must be enforced effectively to pressure regimes and cause behavioral change.
- Their impact includes limiting funds used for repression and affecting elites personally through targeted sanctions.