How do sanctions impact identity and conflict dynamics?

Sanctions can exacerbate identity-based conflicts and alter conflict dynamics by creating economic hardship and fostering resentment.

Sanctions, particularly economic ones, can have a profound impact on identity and conflict dynamics. They are often imposed by international bodies or powerful nations as a means of coercing a change in behaviour from a targeted state or group. However, the impact of these sanctions often goes beyond the intended political or military targets, affecting the general population and influencing their perceptions of identity and conflict.

Firstly, sanctions can exacerbate identity-based conflicts. When a group or nation is targeted with sanctions, it can lead to a sense of collective victimisation. This can strengthen group identity, as members rally together in the face of perceived external threats. For instance, sanctions imposed on Iran have been argued to have strengthened nationalistic sentiments among Iranians, reinforcing their identity as a distinct group under siege from Western powers. This can make identity-based conflicts more intense, as the targeted group becomes more cohesive and resistant to compromise.

Secondly, sanctions can alter conflict dynamics by creating economic hardship. Sanctions often aim to cripple the economy of the targeted state, in the hope that economic distress will lead to political change. However, this economic hardship can also fuel conflict. As resources become scarce, competition for them can intensify, leading to increased tensions and potential violence. Moreover, the economic hardship caused by sanctions can lead to resentment towards those imposing the sanctions, potentially fuelling further conflict.

Finally, sanctions can also impact conflict dynamics by influencing power structures within the targeted state or group. Sanctions can weaken the targeted regime, potentially leading to power vacuums and instability. However, they can also inadvertently strengthen the regime, as it can use the sanctions as a tool to rally support and justify repressive measures. For example, the sanctions imposed on Iraq in the 1990s have been argued to have strengthened Saddam Hussein's regime by allowing it to control the distribution of scarce resources.

In conclusion, while sanctions are often seen as a non-violent tool of coercion, their impact on identity and conflict dynamics can be significant and complex. They can exacerbate identity-based conflicts, alter conflict dynamics through economic hardship, and influence power structures in ways that can both destabilise and strengthen the targeted regime.