Historically, food shortages are one of the surest routes to rebellion. Perhaps the people leading the rebellions aren't starving, but starvation is a real motivation to enlist.
That said, it seems unlikely that the sanctions will lead to starvation; the possibility of a Russian revolt or coup seems insane. (At least until it happens, and then it will be obvious.)
Re:High prices will outlast the war
by baud147258 on Tuesday March 15, 2022 @06:17AM
(#30683562)
probability of a revolt (of the people) seems so far unlikely, but a coup led by military/government elites with support from oligarchs is a possibility
Re:High prices will outlast the war
by chupasaurus on Tuesday March 15, 2022 @02:55AM
(#30682377)
The last revolution in Russia started because of the war and starvation...
Re:High prices will outlast the war
by CorrectHorseBat on Tuesday March 15, 2022 @02:57AM
(#30682389)
>The claim that impoverished Russians will revolt is crap. Starving, broken people don’t lead rebellions.
Rich people losing money lead them, starving people join them.
Re:High prices will outlast the war
by throwaway290 on Wednesday March 16, 2022 @05:34AM
(#30696859)
A rich Russian has offshore accounts and property in a few countries. One of their dozens of boats is expropriated and you expect them to fly to Russia and start a rebellion?
Middle-class people in the country with families to feed will not rebel and risk death; and when they become impoverished due to their government’s policies and global retaliation it will be too late.
It’s about degrading a volatile enemy. Shrinking Russia’s economy degrades its war machine. (The claim that impoverished Russians will revolt is crap. Starving, broken people don’t lead rebellions.)
If we had literally any better solution, we should take it. But we don’t. So we hope Russia weakens enough that it can’t invade Latvia while encouraging it to become a vassal of China’s.