Gallup’s Behavioral Economics

Gallup’s Behavioral Economics

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Dr. Ijaz Shafi Gilani, Chairman Gallup Pakistan(PHD, MIT) and Dr. Umar Taj, PHD, University of Warwick &MSc, London School of Economics &Political Since), stole the show in a workshop organized by Gallup in Islamabad Club. The topic was Behavioral Economics in practice  for social and economic research. A large number of economists, university professors, NGOs and the elite of Islamabad attended the marathon workshop.

Dr. Gilani spoke extempore. His words and expressions were simply fascinating. He looked like speaking prose and poetry.

Dr. Taj outlined in a highly professional manner all the aspects of the workshop using PowerPoint.

The theme was extremely important. Dr. Taj successfully applied the theory into practice, using psychology, pisometry (behavior linked to economic logic) to explain social change. He discussed satisfaction as a drive for individual  identity. In this aspect, Dr. Taj relied on the famous book, “Social Construction of Reality,” by Peter  Berger and Thomas Luckmann . He showed  the participating CEOs how to use the methodology to promote their businesses.

Halo Effect was explained and used on how to predict  and correct vague behavior. This reminds me of the linguistic  “ Least Effort Theory,” and how it creates ambiguity in discorse. Through the concept of “interference” of mother tongue with the target language, errors take place unconsciously.

Discussion also centered on the dynamic of human brain , who would resist complexity. As a result, a method is designed to simplify decision-making through simplicity.

This should be a reminder to FBR and incentive to simplify income tax forms. The complex forms repel even highly educated people from paying their taxes.

The audience  were vigorously engaged in a very lively discussion  on all aspects of the workshop. The majority of the participants were young with eves outnumber men, giving a hope that the youth are rising. The dynamic and highly educated women are now the hope of the nation. Only, women can genuinely fight corruption and enforce transparency. Men have failed. Now, women are destined to rule Pakistan.