Question

1. Would you participate in a boycott against a company that does business with a repressive government? Why or why not? 2. Would you support economic sanctions against a country that violates human rights? Why or why not? These questions ask you to take a position and defend it. This means that you will establish a thesis and form a supporting argument. Before you answer these questions, take a few minutes to prepare your ideas. Consider the importance of human rights compared to your values and your economic priorities. Reflect on whether you would be willing to do without something or pay a higher price for products or services in order to protest the violation of human rights. After thinking about these questions and jotting down ideas, take a stand and form a thesis. For this activity, you must choose a side even though you might think both sides are worth defending. If possible, include both sides in your response to demonstrate to those who may disagree with your thesis that you've considered their perspective.

Answer 1

As you consider these question, part of the consideration is whether the boycott or sanctions will have any effect on the government's repression of the people.  An example in history has been policy in relationship to China.  China enjoyed "most favored nation" trading status with the United States (and thus also US businesses) even while the US was critical of China for its pattern of government and human rights abuses.  But the question was always whether maintaining ties and trade with China would do more good than cutting China off.  Sometimes dealing with a country through trade gives leverage for addressing problems in that country, where cutting them off doesn't cause them to do anything different for their people.