'''Economic sanctions''' are penalties applied by one or more countries against a target country, group, or individual to force a change in political or economic behavior. Under Chapter VII of the [[UN Charter]], the [[United Nations Security Council]] is the only legal body in the world authorized by [[international law]] to impose [[multilateral]] economic sanctions.<ref>[https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/information UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL]. Sanctions. un.org</ref> This stands in marked contrast to the [[neo-liberal]] [[Rules Based Order]] [[foreign policy]] of the [[United States]], in which the [[US State Dept]] threatens and [[blackmail]]s third party countries with economic sanctions who do not go along with [[US]] [[unilateral]] sanction regimes against its targeted enemies.
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Economic sanctions stand in contrast to a [[free market]] where prices, production, and distribution of goods are determined by voluntary exchange between buyers and sellers with little or no [[government]] control. Sanctions rely on heavy [[state]] control, [[trade]] blocks, embargoes, [[asset]] freezes, and bans on specific financial transactions.. Free markets rely on minimal intervention and open [[commerce]]. Sanctions aim to disrupt [[economic]] activity for [[political]] goals. Free markets aim to foster economic activity through natural [[supply and demand]]. Sanctions create artificial barriers and prohibitions. Free markets remove barriers to allow smooth exchange.