ABSTRACT
In the history of economics the eighteenth century is the period of mercantilism. One of the features of mercantilism is an endless series of economic hindrances, boycotts and blocades. One seems to notice a certain reticence against economic measures in the United Nations as a means of disciplining states. Economic pressure which would be unlawful in Public International Law as such, because of the violation of a treaty for instance, is justified as a direct reprisal or a reprisal to a crime against humanity, but it is not allowed as a measure to force other states to implement human rights, whether they are heavily indebted or not. As far as customary international law is concerned, one may, of course, think of the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties or like instruments prohibiting so-called economic coercion.
