Operationalizing Economics for Counterinsurgency and Stability Operations

Economics is a critical component of military operations and will continue to be so in the future. Understanding this is vital to successful military operations. The military requirement for understanding economics and its application in operations is outlined in both national strategy and doctrine. The military has means, motive, and opportunity for the application of economics in operations. Successful campaigns and achievement of the national strategic end state requires the integration of economics throughout all operations and across the levels of war. Military doctrine provides poor guidelines and limited reference for economic operations and concepts. Military doctrine does not agree on economics, the few definitions published limit usefulness as a guide for operations. The definitions also fail to facilitate common understanding across levels of war and the spectrum of conflict. Commanders at all levels must understand basic economic theory and key concepts to effectively execute counterinsurgency and stability operations. The monograph recommends using Developmental Economics as the framework for the operationalization of economics by the military. Developmental Economics is a theory of economics that grew from the failures of classical economics to effectively explain development in third-world nations. This must be the framework the military uses when planning and designing campaigns for both counterinsurgency and stability operations. Economics is not one of several lines of operation, but the overarching framework for the design of counterinsurgency and stability operations. Viewing development as freedom, described by Amartya Sen provides an improved foundation for military operations and a more complete campaign framework. Within these definitions and responsibilities, the military will find the links it needs to execute independent operations. Additionally, the military will have the tools required to support, enable, and lead organizations in execu

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