The Pashtun Behavior Economy: An Analysis of Decision Making in Tribal Society
Abstract
Little scholarship exists regarding the ways in which members of conflict societies think about the economic decisions they face, and what information they value as relevant to those decisions. The literature of the emerging field of behavioral economics suggests that in uncertain environments, considerable weight may be given to identity and cultural factors when people make decisions that affect personal safety, income, and self-fulfillment. This thesis examines the factors that are important to an indigenous population when they make decisions regarding their support for government-sponsored counterinsurgency efforts. Specifically, the nature of the decision-making process in rural Pashtun society is examined. The author draws from sources on Pashtun ethnography and behavioral economics to draw conclusions about the way people in conflict societies frame the decisions they make. The Pashtun case study reveals generalizations and patterns that can be used by counterinsurgents to create better strategies for convincing indigenous populations to support their counterinsurgency efforts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547852
Entities
People
- Jeremy W. Holton
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School