Will sanctions against Zimbabwe hurt the people or the leaders?

Question

Is this an effective strategy?

Will it hurt the poor majority rather than the billionaire leader Mugabe and his very wealthy cronies?

What are better alternatives?

Answer 1

it only ever hurts the people

Answer 2

In general, sanctions are actually meant to hurt the ppl... that's a harsh fact that most don't like to see.

I'll use a military training technique I learned in the Army to explain:
Say you have a soldier that repeatedly is messing up like maybe just can't seem to ever have his or her boots shined. After attempts of discipline fail repeatedly, what you do is punish his/her entire platoon instead while letting that person sit and relax. This method is using peer pressure to accomplish the goal.

The idea behind sanctions is the same way... if you starve out the ppl, the masses, they will pressure their officials and become discontent with their government. The end goal is to pressure the masses into demanding a regime change.

Btw, I don't agree with this method because it is a form of imperialism. I prefer methods that hit the powerful elite directly... such as boycotts of trade with SPECIFIC corporations they personally own.

Answer 3

Mugabe has the support of the Mashona people. The people who are starving are the Matabele. Sanctions will only make matters worse. The situation is similar to that in Iraq before the US led illegal invasion. Mugabe is in his 80s - let nature take its course.

Answer 4

sanctions only hurt the people. they are designed to get the people mad and active against the government policy. this is with the hope they Will change the leaders minds

in this case it will do no good because Mugabe does not care one bit. so the people suffer even more.

makes good sense doesn't it...not!!!!