Synopses & Reviews
Ross here presents a comparative historical study of European neutrality policy with special reference to the problem posed to neutral countries by the imposition of international collective sanctions. The study takes the form of an extended and detailed comparative examination of Swedish and Swiss responses to the League of Nation's embargo against Italy in 1935-36 and the United Nation's sanctions against Rhodesia in 1965-79. Through this analysis, the author explores how and why Swedish and Swiss policies toward sanctions have differed over time and what these differences reveal about neutrality policy in general, particularly in relation to collective security actions taken by international organizations. An ideal supplemental text for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in comparative politics, international relations, and international organization, this volume will also be of significant benefit to policymakers interested in reviewing past sanctions cases as a guidepost for determining the feasibility of similar operations in the future.
The book is distinguished by its broad historical approach and by its close comparison of the two countries--not only in terms of their sanctions policies but also in terms of their domestic political structures and individual overall formulations of neutrality policy. Ross demonstrates that despite the many background similarities between Sweden and Switzerland, the two states have differed substantially in their responses to sanctions operations. He analyzes the reasons for these differences, challenging traditionally held views that characterize Sweden's policies as changeable and Switzerland's as consistent. Finally, Ross identifies seven explanatory factors, derived from the four case studies, which can be used to determine how other source states--both neutral and non-neutral--might respond to future cases of sanctions.
Review
Professor Ross looks at two historic experiences with international sanctions: the League of Nations' sanctions against Italy for the invasion of Abyssinia and the UN's sanctions imposed upon the Ian Smith government in Rhodesia to put pressure on Smith's "illegal racist minority regime." He analyzes the reaction of Sweden and Switzerland, two representative neutral nations, to those international sanctions.Booknotes
Synopsis
Ross presents a comparative historical study of European neutrality policy, with special reference to the problem for neutral countries posed by the imposition of international collective sanctions. The study takes the form of an extended and detailed comparative examination of Swedish and Swiss responses to the League of Nation's embargo against Italy in 1935-36 and the United Nation's sanctions against Rhodesia in 1965-79. It then explores how and why Swedish and Swiss policies toward sanctions have differed over time and what these differences reveal about neutrality policy in general.
About the Author
JOHN F.L. ROSS is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
The Neutrality-Collective Security Problem
Swedish and Swiss Neutrality in Comparative Perspective
The League, the Neutrals, and the Italian Sanctions Operation
The ItaloAbyssinian Crisis and Neutrality
Sweden and the Italian Operation
Switzerland and the Italian Operation
The United Nations, the Neutrals, and the Rhodesian Sanctions Operation
The Rhodesian Operation and Neutrality
Sweden and the Rhodesian Operation
Switzerland and the Rhodesian Operation
Conclusions
Sweden, Switzerland, and the Sanctions Question
Bibliography
Index