Feeding the Peasant: The Impacts of Economics on Modern Insurgencies

摘要

Counterinsurgency operations and studies on insurgency aims and methods dominate current military discussions and writings. As the military continues to embrace 'full spectrum operations' discussions continue on the ability to link all elements of U.S. National Power (Diplomatic, Informational, Military, and Economic) to facilitate a successful conclusion to operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. This paper examines the impact of economics on insurgencies and conflicts, primarily the impact it has on affected populations. Historical studies show that 20th century insurgencies require the counterinsurgent to combat multiple sets of actors, all with potentially different objectives. According to the most recent U.S. Army counterinsurgency doctrine, the counterinsurgent must leverage multiple strategies to separate the population from the insurgents. Using historical case studies of the insurgencies in Sierra Leone and Algeria, this monograph will describe the insurgents' use of the lower classes, or 'peasants,' of the population as a source of new recruits. These case studies will demonstrate that those members of the population whose basic needs are not being met serve as a primary recruitment base for the insurgency. Counterinsurgents must employ a strategy of economic development and civic action to prevent the poorest civilians from joining an insurgency in exchange for a better standard of living.