Nixon's Goal: Make Chile's Economy 'Scream'—Experts Say US/EU Sanctions Cost Thousands of Lives Annually
Unilateral US and EU sanctions carry a documented human cost, with analysis pointing to potential estimates of 38 million deaths since 1970 from these actions.
Users accuse Western powers of weaponizing finance. "AnarchoBolshevik" claims sanctions are pure imperial power used to destabilize Global South nations. "rainpizza" cites Lancet Global Health, suggesting sanctions cause over 560,000 excess deaths annually, surpassing conflict mortality. Maeve noted the U.S. government's intent regarding Chile after 1970 was to 'make [Chile’s] economy scream.'
The consensus argues these sanctions are fundamentally an unethical tool of foreign policy, built upon Western control of key infrastructure like the US dollar and SWIFT. The counter-strategy proposed is pivoting away from Western systems by building South-South trade lines and utilizing alternatives like China's CIPS.
Key Points
#1Sanctions are a lethal weapon of imperial control.
The consensus holds that the human cost of US/EU unilateral sanctions is severe, citing academic estimates of massive mortality.
#2Western financial dominance is the leverage point.
Maeve asserted that the power of sanctions rests on control of the US dollar, the Euro, SWIFT, and essential technologies.
#3Specific historical examples show intent to destabilize.
Maeve detailed the 1970s sanctions on Chile, citing President Richard Nixon's stated objective was to make the economy 'scream.'
#4South-South cooperation is the escape route.
AnarchoBolshevik stressed that independence requires building trade and payment lines outside Western currency spheres, naming CIPS.
Source Discussions (3)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.