Coercive Diplomacy in Inter State Relations: A Study of the United Nations and Non-Military Sanctions, 1965-2003

Abstract

One of the strategic challenges facing members of international community since the emergence of modern state system especially in the post Second World War era is the avoidance of great power war and the use of brute force in the settlement of international disputes. The risk that a local aimed conflict could escalate into another World War put a premium on policies and instruments that sought to prevent this worst-case scenario. One of the instruments used in achieving these objectives is the instruments of Coercive diplomacy which seeks to resolve crises and armed conflict without resorts to the use of force or a full scale War. Coercive diplomacy may take the form of moral condemnation, deterrence, sanctions, and severing of diplomatic relations, Article 41 of the United Nations Charter provides the use of non-military sanctions against states that threatens international peace and security. It further authorizes the Security Council to enforce its decisions through complete or practical interruptions of economic relations and of rail, sea, air, postal, telegraph, radio and other means of communication and the severance of diplomatic relations. This paper examines the use of non-military sanctions diplomatic and economic measures by the United Nations in resolving international crisis. Using notable examples, as case studies, the paper submit that though the diplomatic strategy or the use of non-military sanctions has not been a resounding success, it remains veritable instruments of addressing conflict prone situations in the international political system.