Commentators seem to assume ISIS are madmen. However, no analysis socio-economic events have been succesful if it has been based on an assumption that the agents are irrational. Rather we should base our analysis of ISIS on an assumption that ISIS is completely rational (in an economic theoretical sense). In a rational choice framework we explain why ISIS behave as if they are Madmen. 1) Extreme violence is a signalling strategy. If ISIS can get madmen brand then their opponents will run for the hills rather than to fight ISIS. Btw the Kurds, the Syrians and the Iraqis all have interest in building ISISs brand to get international/US support. 2) Extreme violence as commitment strategy. The behaviour of the ISIS fighters ensures that they forever will be lawless everywhere - you will not exactly get a day jobat ToysRUs after beheading somebody on Youtube. That mean that you basically has other option than figthing to the death. That reinforces the signalling strategy. These two point actually indicate that ISIS is miltarily WEAK rather than strong and that they are short staffed. Comments? Peter Boettke, Steve Horwitz Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard, Mikkel Vedby Rasmussen, Otto Brøns-Petersen, Chris Coyne, Anthony J Evans Alex Tabarrok Alex Salter Ulrik Walther Jens Nærvig Pedersen
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 12:27:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015