Episode 98: The Economic Weapon by Nicholas Mulder - Deep Dive Book Review

Our review today is from Nicholas Mulder's The Economic Weapon, which examines the history of economic sanctions, tracing their evolution from a tool of total war in World War I to a purported alternative to war in the interwar period and beyond. The book analyzes the League of Nations' attempts to utilize sanctions for collective security, highlighting both their potential and limitations, particularly in the face of rising global tensions and the Great Depression. Mulder explores the diverse perspectives on sanctions, from those who viewed them as a powerful peace-keeping instrument to those who critiqued their devastating humanitarian consequences. The book also considers the role of sanctions in shaping the economic policies of aggressor states like Germany and Italy and their eventual impact on the post-World War II international order. Finally, the author explores the evolving relationship between economic sanctions, war, and the development of international institutions.

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