This book investigates the conditions under which economic statecraft—specifically the use of sanctions and incentives—successfully influences the foreign policy decisions of target states. The authors, Jean-Marc F. Blanchard and Norrin M. Ripsman, utilize a framework grounded in international relations theory to analyze how target state leaders calculate the costs and benefits of compliance. By examining the domestic political constraints and the strategic environment of the target, the text provides a systematic approach to understanding why economic pressure often fails or succeeds in achieving diplomatic objectives.

Experts in international relations identify this work as a rigorous contribution to the study of economic coercion and diplomacy. Scholars frequently note the analytical depth of the authors' framework, which serves as a foundational text for understanding the complexities of state-level economic calculations.