The point is one shouldn’t be so naive that you fool yourself into thinking that the range of possible responses to sanctions doesn’t include war.
Analogies of sanctions being like giving the school yard bully the cold shoulder seem like just such a naive interpretation given how they have played out historically.
I’m not saying they can’t work or that they shouldn’t be used just to be aware of the full range of possible outcomes.
There is also the other side to consider. By not boycotting or sanctioning an aggressor you're supporting their efforts by supplying material or funds through trade.
When a government has a proven record of bullying or annexing their neighbors I think boycotting is the least one can do. And collective sanctions among allies is a reasonable next step where diplomacy fails.
In the case of Russia sanctions weren't even enough to stop them after they annexed Crimea. No one wants to continuously cave into a bully then pretend it's "peace in our time".
Analogies of sanctions being like giving the school yard bully the cold shoulder seem like just such a naive interpretation given how they have played out historically.
I’m not saying they can’t work or that they shouldn’t be used just to be aware of the full range of possible outcomes.