A boycott is a refusal to deal commercially or otherwise with a country, firm, or individual. A party to a "primary boycott" is one, which refrains from trading with the targeted country. A "secondary boycott" is one in which parties to a boycott attempt to induce other countries to adhere to the boycott, often as a condition of continued trade relations with them. Similar to embargo and sanctions.

Primary Boycott is a way for people to influence policies of nations, companies or businesses over which they would usually have little influence.

A country's economy benefits and grows from consumer dollars. If that country in engaged in objectionable practices, our tacit consent should not be given to it. Purchasing such a country's exported goods provides this consent and financial assistance. The power consumers have is their dollars and the influence they exert comes from their consumer choices.

Apartheid South Africa demise was influenced through international boycott.

One of the earliest examples was the boycott in England of sugar produced by slaves. In 1791, after Parliament refused to abolish slavery, thousands of pamphlets were printed encouraging the boycott. Sales of sugar dropped by between a third and a half. By contrast sales of Indian sugar, untainted by slavery, rose tenfold in two years. In an early example of fair trade, shops began selling sugar guaranteed to be have been produced by 'free men'.

Boycott, divestment and sanctions are powerful tools.