INTRODUCTION
Socio-Cultural Analysis Framework (SCAF)A U.S. Army guide on how to research and write socio-cultural analyses. TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u INTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc464211770 \h 2CHAPTER 1: POLITICAL DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211771 \h 6CHAPTER 2: SECURITY DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211772 \h 16CHAPTER 3: ECONOMIC DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211773 \h 20CHAPTER 4: POPULATION DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211774 \h 34CHAPTER 5: SOCIETY DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211775 \h 42CHAPTER 6: CULTURAL DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211776 \h 51CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211777 \h 57CHAPTER 8: COMMUNICATIONS DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211778 \h 63CHAPTER 9: GEOGRAPHIC DOMAIN PAGEREF _Toc464211779 \h 68WORKS CITED PAGEREF _Toc464211780 \h 75DRAFT14 OCT 2016 US Army TRADOC G-20Global Cultural Knowledge Network (GCKN)801 Harrison Dr., Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 66027INTRODUCTIONWhat follows is a Socio-Cultural Analysis Framework (SCAF). The need for a SCAF is widely recognized within the Army. It is addressed in policy documents such as the Army Operating Concept (AOC) “Win in a Complex World” and Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) G-2’s “Operational Environments to 2028: The Strategic Environment for Unified Land Operations.” The need for a SCAF is similarly addressed in doctrinal publications such as Joint Publication 2-01.3 Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment; ATP2-01.3 Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield/Battlespace; and TP525-8-5 Functional Concept for Engagement.The absence of an Army-wide SCAF has resulted in multiple entities within the Army developing their own frameworks for socio-cultural analysis. For example, ATP2-01.3 Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield/Battlespace, FM 3-24 Counterinsurgency, FM 3-57 Civil Affairs Operations, and the Political Military Analysis Handbook from the Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS) all contain such frameworks. The frameworks in these publications are similar, but differ enough to necessitate a reconciliation that will result in a single, Army-wide SCAF. The SCAF presented here utilizes a taxonomic approach. The taxonomic approach is a common analytic technique used in the natural, behavioral, social, and political sciences. The taxonomic approach consists of arranging related, recurring terms in a hierarchical framework in which more general descriptors (e.g., car) link to more specific descriptors (Mercedes), which then link to even more specific descriptors (450SL). Listing, describing and assessing socio-cultural indicators for operationally-relevant purposes necessitates a streamlined SCAF. The SCAF taxonomy proffered here was developed from a content analysis of eighty-four documents associated with socio-cultural analysis. While a complete list of the documents reviewed is provided in Appendix (?), the following summary of the documents provides the reader a sense of its scope.Thirty-one US Armydoctrinal publications.Seventeen other US Army publications including the Political Military Analysis Handbook from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and the “Across Cultures” block of instruction from the Army’s Command and General Staff College.Five Joint Staff (JS) doctrinal publications including Joint Publication (JP) 2-01.3, Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment (dated 21 May 2014) and JP 3-57, Joint Doctrine for Civil-Military Operations (dated 8 February 2001).Six Department of Defense (DOD) or Combatant Command publications including the DOD Strategic Plan for Language, Region Expertise, Cultural Capabilities 2011-2016; Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Afghanistan in Perspective: An Orientation Guide (2012); and USSOCOM Concept - Operating in the Human Domain (August 2015).Five publications from other services: Marine Corps University Press’ Operational Culture for the Warfighter (2011); USAF 3-0-Annex-Operations Planning; and US Navy Language Skills, Regional Expertise and Cultural Awareness Strategy (2008).Eight publications from other US. Government agencies including United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Field Operations Guide For Disaster Assessment and Response (2005); Rand Corporation’s Socio-Cultural Capability Requirements across All Phases of Military Operations (2011); Library of Congress Federal Research Division’s Area Handbook Series: Indonesia; a country study. Two area assessment reports from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP): Provincial Development Report Aceh 2010 and Malaysia Human Development Report 2013.Ten academic sources including the Yale University’s Human Relations Area Files (HRAF), General Flynn’s “Left of Bang,” and Hofstede’s “Dimensionalizing Cultures: The Hofstede Model in Context.” The taxonomic approach has benefits and drawbacks. Its benefits include:Ease of Use. The taxonomic approach is a common analysis technique within the Army. The Army and DOD commonly use taxonomic analytical frameworks including the operational variables of Political, Military, Economic, Social, Infrastructure, Information, Physical Terrain, Time (PMESII-PT); the mission variables of Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support available, Time available and Civil considerations (METT-TC); and the civil considerations of Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People, and Events (ASOPE). These analyses are variations of the SCAF technique. The SCAF is a socio-culturally based version of the operational variables (PMESII-PT). The SCAF presented here provides a logical arrangement of socio-cultural elements for soldiers or other stakeholders to consider when assessing an operating environment. Methodological Grounding. The taxonomic approach is not only widely used in the military, but in academia and business as well. Much of the qualitative research conducted in academia is designed to identify the factors (alternatively called themes or categories) relative to the phenomenon under investigation. Similarly, the continuous improvement technique used in business, Six Sigma, consists of identifying and analyzing the relationship between factors. Thoroughness. A framework enhances thoroughness by providing soldiers a list of 272 factors identified from the literature as important to consider when conducting a socio-cultural analysis. Data Standardization. Perhaps the single most significant challenge regarding socio-cultural analysis facing the Army is the lack of data below the national level. Multiple organizations such as the World Bank, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provide national level data, but such data are of nominal value when operating at the subnational or local level. In some cases (for example, when there has been a significant intervention as in Afghanistan, or when an organization or individual has conducted academic research) subnational data are available. Such cases are rare, however, and as a rule data are not available at the level of society or community where Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) operate. The SCAF establishes categories for data collection. Using these designated categories as a guide, RAF units will collect the same types of information in the same format regardless of where they are in the world. When RAF unit data are collected and stored in the Global Cultural Knowledge Network (GCKN) socio-cultural database, the Army will begin filling its subnational information gaps.While the taxonomic approach is a common, well developed analytic method, it also has detractors. Among the criticisms of the taxonomic approach are: Taxonomies deter a holistic analysis by aggregating information into categories, which puts the analytical emphasis on categories rather than the entire system. Taxonomies encourage static, rather than dynamic, analysis, which results in evaluating the past rather than the future. Taxonomies are unmanageable. Small ones are incomplete. Large ones are overwhelming. Taxonomies lack precision. Categories inevitably overlap, which causes confusion and duplication.Taxonomies lack objectivity, which may introduce bias into the data. Because categories are neither “exhaustive nor mutually exclusive” investigators are required to classify the data, which could introduce bias. Critics of the taxonomic approach argue that because these drawbacks are inherent, their effects can only be mitigated, not eliminated. Two effective ways to mitigate taxonomic drawbacks are an evidence-based design and training/education. Evidence-based design refers to building a taxonomy based on empirical evidence. As described above, the SCAF was derived from an extensive review of the military and nonmilitary literature pertaining to socio-cultural analysis. All of the categories and subcategories currently in the SCAF emerged from that review. The SCAF is, therefore, evidence-based.Furthermore, the Army has already foreseen the requirement for training/education. The SCAF was developed to create an Army-wide method for socio-cultural analysis. This common method then becomes the foundation for socio-cultural analysis education and training across the Army. In this way the Army mitigates the second inherent taxonomic drawback. The SCAF employs a PMESII-PT modified framework for analysis. The standard PMESII-PT has been modified in three ways to emphasize the socio-cultural aspect of this analysis. First, the SCAF expands the PMESII-PT category ‘Military’ to include all coercive and non-coercive groups in a society. The expanded category, ‘Security’, includes law enforcement; pro and anti-government paramilitaries and militias; and criminal elements; labor, religious, civic organizations, etc. Second, the SCAF adds separate categories for ‘Population’ and ‘Culture.’ Arguably, these categories could be addressed in PMESII-PT under ‘Society.’ Making them separate categories, however, elevates them to the level of significance they merit. Third, the SCAF expands PMESII-PT category ‘Information’ to emphasize the cultural perspective. Specifically, the SCAF category ‘Communications’ focuses on how knowledge is transmitted, received, and interpreted within a culture. The chapters on each of the SCAF's nine domains follows the same format. Each chapter begins by defining the domain. This is followed by a discussion of why the domain is important and important considerations to keep in mind while assessing the domain. After discussing the domain specific considerations, there is a schematic representation of the taxonomy for the domain, which is followed by a series of questions designed to help an analyst think through the domain's various factors. In addition to developing its own questions, GCKN drew questions from multiple sources. In an attempt to simplify this document while maintaining its integrity, GCKN has opted to document its sources by means of a "Works Cited" page, rather than footnote every question individually. Should anyone desire the individual footnotes, GCKN will provide them upon request. CHAPTER 1: POLITICAL DOMAINWhat is the Political Domain? In the context of the SCAF the Political Domain is the totality of a society’s power and authority structures, institutions, and actors. The Political Domain includes the processes used to operate the government and maintain civil order. Why is the Political Domain important? The Political Domain is important because it shows the means, methods and motivations of how power is applied across all segments of a society. The Political Domain applies to both formal and informal actors within a society. It provides a window into complex cultures illuminating values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms (VBBN) that guide populations. It is no accident that the Political Domain is the first variable within the U.S. Army’s PMESII-PT construct. Assessing the Political Domain from a socio-cultural perspective assists leaders and Soldiers to consider culturally-appropriate actions in areas of operation (AOs).What is important to consider when assessing the Political Domain?The Political Domain includes both governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations (civic, religious, ethnic, kin, etc.).Political systems are highly complex and multi-faceted.Political systems often include hidden, shadow, or informal policies, proxies, and leaders, which may be more influential than formal policies and ernance models vary across political systems. A society may include multiple models. The Political Domain shapes every component of a society, from the way leaders and laws are chosen to the socio-economic policies that drive a nation’s wealth and standard of living.Customary law, a community based justice system that is used by ethnic and indigenous groups, may have more influence than the formal political system.Ethnicities, tribes, religions, sects, language and other cultural components affect a society’s Political Domain.This Political Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 1.1: Political Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the political operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 1.1: Political Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Political Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. SocietyPolitical SystemPer the Political Military Analysis Handbook (JFCOM), “A political system is any grouping of primarily civil roles and institutions, both formal and informal that exercises authority or rule within a specific geographic boundary or organization through the application of various forms of political power and influence.” The following questions may be used in assessing a formal political system. “What forces determine political priorities?”“Who exercises political power and how can this be measured?” Does the society have ethnic or religiously-based representation in their political system, such as seats reserved for minority ethnic groups in a parliament?What branches make up the central government? Is there an executive head of state and a separate symbolic official leader, such as a prime minister or president?“What type of government does the nation or area have? Examples include parliamentary, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship, democracy, republic, totalitarian or anarchy.”“Which institutions wield power? Particular social structures (tribes, clans, etc.)? Religious entities? Labor unions? Political parties? Courts? Criminal organizations?”“Is this a society that relies on harsh power, or rule of law?”Does the country aspire to be more powerful and influential on the global stage for both security and economic reasons? OrganizationsAccording to the Political and Military Analysis Handbook (JFCOM), “Organizations are nonmilitary groups or institutions in the area of operations (AO). They influence and interact with the populace, military units, and each other.” There are formal and informal or non-governmental organizations in every society. It is important to describe and distinguish the differences between the types of groups. For example, there may be indigenously-tribal based organizations that operate within the AO, but outside the formal governmental structure. Ethnic-based, religious, labor, fraternal and criminal organizations also are part of the political system and conduct activities parallel to the governing authority. Political parties are often part of the formal organization structure within nations or societies.“What are the primary groups in the community? (Primary groups are informal, small and intimate groups, usually a family unit. Closely related kin and extended families are good examples of primary groups, often more important in undeveloped, rural regions.)”“What are the secondary groups in the community? (Secondary groups are formal, impersonal and usually based around a technical or utilitarian purpose or theme.” These include the following types, as listed in the GCKN taxonomy: Parties, Religious, Economic, Civic, Labor Unions, Nationalist and Separatist.) Are certain non-governmental organizations more powerful than others in the community or society? For example, do religious groups hold more persuasive influence over the population?What friction points exist within the political system that has the potential to polarize society? Are there religious and civic groups who actively oppose each other’s policies? Each other’s socio-political objectives? “Which groups hold power, and to what degree of concentration?”“Which groups are excluded, and along which axes?” “Who are the stakeholders in the society? What do they have to lose or gain from decisions made by the government?” (“A stakeholder is defined as any group with an interest in the decision.”LeadershipAccording to the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s Political Military Analysis Handbook,"… leadership is the capacity or ability to lead others, or to exercise power and authority….Leadership may be legal, illegal, or extralegal." Who are the most influential leaders in the AO? “What motivates these leaders (money, sex, recognition, power, ideology)?” “Who are their confidants?”“Who exercises political power and how can this be measured?” Who are the formal leaders (i.e. elected or official local or community leaders)? “Who are the central players in the leadership? What are their histories, and what are their ideologies and beliefs? What networks do they belong to?”“How is decision-making organized and who makes decisions?”“How is leadership obtained and passed on (by election, inheritance, demonstration of skill, and membership in a certain age or social group, by force)?” “Is there a mode of succession? How does it work?”“Does the leader share power or hoard it? With whom do they share?”“What friction is there between the leader and the followers?”“Has the organization changed personnel recently? Why? Who caused it?”Who are the unofficial or traditional, informal leaders in the community?“To whom do people turn to actually get something done?” Who are the other elites in the AO? Are these the same people as the formal leaders?Do the local people have faith and confidence in their local, governmental officials? Do the religious leaders have influence and decision-making authority in the community?Do the teachers or other education informal leaders have influence and power/authority in the community?Are there any female leaders, either formal or informal? Are women an official part of the nation’s governing political structure?What anti-government groups are the main players in the community or society, at-large? Are they coercive or non-coercive in their actions and objectives?International Relations In this framework International Relations refers to a state’s foreign policy, trading partners, and formal alliances. It does not apply to the subnational level.What are the country’s foreign policy objectives? What is the basis of these objectives? Who are the country’s major trading partners? Is the country a member of international geopolitical cooperative groups, such as NATO, the EU or the UN?Does the country have important seats in the UN or powerful NATO or OAS (Organization of African States) roles? Does the country generally have a positive or negative relationship with other countries, such as the US, Russia, China or Iran or other UN members? How does the national government foster international support?CivicCivic Groups Civic Groups refers to community-based citizen non-state organizations that may or may not have direct influence over government actions. They often advocate for social and civic change, complementing and assisting official governmental social service organizations. “Does class play a role in society? To what degree?”“How is class defined in the area: on the basis of wealth, education, region of origin, inheritance, or other factors?” “Is status acquired through birth, or achieved through action?” “How is access to essential resources for survival (food, shelter, clothing, water) determined by class?” “How does the concentration of wealth (through corruption, graft, or legitimate means) in the hands of an elite upper class relate to resource or power access?” “What is the reality of upward mobility in the area’s class system, and what do local people consider to be their potential for in-system upward mobility?”“If creating a plan to support lower class groups, will funds and resources have to pass through the hands of the upper class first (and consequently disappear)?”International Associations In this framework International Associations refers to nongovernmental, cross border socio-cultural and socio-economic relationships. What socio-cultural entities transcend the borders of the AO?What socio-economic entities transcend the borders of the AO? “What is the relationship between the political national/regional boundaries, and how do people living in the nation/region view those boundaries, in terms of politics, economics, genealogy, and security?” SociopoliticalIdeologiesIdeology “…is an emotion-laden, myth-saturated, action-oriented belief system accepted largely on faith as truth or fact by a group or people.” “Does a single ideology dominate an entire society?” “Does the ideology propose violent or militant behavior?” “Does the most important ideology legitimize or delegitimize the political regime?”“Does the primary ideology enhance or weaken social stability?” Consider the Stability Index in GCKN Taxonomic definitions, Politics Domain. “What motivates the society? This may be political in nature, as well as economic, or even based on desires for social change. What tensions are inherent in the society?” “What particular social and political ideologies are prevalent? What narratives is (sic) the leadership using?”“Are politics used for religious purposes, or is religion used for political purposes?” Does the primary religion in the AO promote or oppose certain types of legislation? Does the government dictate religious stipulations onto civil institutions, such as marriage?Political Climate “The political climate refers to the relationship between the citizens and the government. More specifically, to the degree which each influences the other. Thus, the climate is characterized by the nation’s existing level of legitimacy, civil liberty, and democracy.”Has the area’s physical environment shaped its political boundaries? For example, did geographic terrain features such as mountain ranges and rivers divide states or provinces without regard to ethnic or tribal distribution? “How does the society handle the inequity of power? Do members of society revile others who exert power upon them? Or are members of society inclined to accept this inequitable power structure submissively? Are members who accept inequitable power relationships submissively inclined to ‘wait until told what to do?’ In other words, are they overly dependent on what the boss says—as opposed to a society in which the people feel inclined toward a high degree of interdependence, and use initiative?”“Is the area’s population ‘locked in’ to their historical political legacy?”What is level of popular support for the government? Do the official news outlets report the same amount of popular support as unofficial or civic groups? Does the national government make it appear that they have more popular support and legitimacy than they actually do? Are there any opposition groups that do not support the national government? What tactics does the national/formal government use to solicit popular support?Does the general public feel free to express their views concerning the national government’s leaders and their policies?Is social media used as a coercive tool by the national government to influence and/or control the populace? Does the national government use censorship, coercion, intimidation and indoctrination to mandate popular support and its associated indirect actions?What is the World Bank stability index for the country under consideration? (i.e., -2.5 to 2.5 range) Political BehaviorsIn this framework Political Behavior refers to the conduct that the population displays in a political system.What is the level of political participation by the population?Is there a political tradition regarding the peaceful or violent transfer of power?How does the population demonstrate dissent? Have wars or internal conflict affected the population’s political participation? What is the degree of political polarization in the region?Does religious/ethnic/tribal identity affect political participation?GLOSSARYalliance"A formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim." anti-government personsSeparatists, rebels, insurgents, terrorists or any other individual who is opposed to the legitimate host nation government. They may or may not take coercive or armed action against the HN. civic organizationsCity-based citizen non-state groups or organizations that may or may not have direct influence over the host government's actions. They are focused on political measures in the HN. corruption"The inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by committing a felony)." "The misuse of public power for private benefit."economic organizationsNon-state economically based actors (organizations) who may have influence over the host nation government. (LJ) An economic organization can influence a society and "reflects how cultures control production of goods and services." foreign policy"Plan of action adopted by one nation in regards to its diplomatic dealings with other countries. Foreign policies are established as a systematic way to deal with issues that may arise with other countries." government officials"People elected or appointed to administer a government." human rights"Any basic right or freedom to which all human beings are entitled and in whose exercise a government may not interfere (including rights to life and liberty as well as freedom of thought and expression and equality before the law." ideology"A system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy." institutions"An organization founded and united for a specific purpose." interest groupInterest [group] is …"a social group whose members control some field of activity and who have common aims."key issue"An important question that is in dispute and must be settled." labor union"An organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer."leadership"…leadership is the capacity or ability to lead others, or to exercise power and authority….Leadership may be legal, illegal, or extralegal." legitimacy"Legitimacy is often referred to as the acceptance of a state's right to make authoritative decisions." "…legitimacy is a matter of perception on the part of individuals and can be measured in terms of its universality (i.e. what percentage of the group accepts the system's right to make decisions for them)…legitimacy is a normative concept based on the population's judgments of what is right and wrong for the state, or other elements of the political system, to decide. That is to say, legitimacy is the range of issues over which the people think the state should decide, not the issues over which it actually does decide(s)." nationalist "One who loves and defends his or her country." organizations"Organizations are nonmilitary groups or institutions in the AO. They influence and interact with the populace, military units, and each other. Organizations generally have a hierarchical structure, defined goals, established operations, fixed facilities or meeting places, and a means of financial or logistic support. Some organizations may be indigenous to the area such as tribes and ethnic based groupings. Other organizations include church groups, fraternal, patriotic or service organizations, labor unions, criminal organizations, political parties, and community watch groups. Other organizations may come from outside the AO. Examples of these include multinational corporations, United Nations agencies, US governmental agencies, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)."political behaviorsThe behavior that the population displays in a political system, such as voting, referendum poll distribution, volunteering for an official governmental candidate's run for office and other actions/behaviors that directly involve a community's or nation's political climate.political climate"The political climate refers to the relationship between the citizens and the government. More specifically, to the degree which each influences the other." political party"An organization to gain political power." "Political interest groups. These groups consist of political parties, ethnic groups, religious sects, trade unions, corporations, special interest groups, lobbyists, etc. Basically, any group that for whatever reason has a stake in what the government does, and has the population and/or resources to make their voices heard by the formal government."political system"A political system is any grouping of primarily civil roles and institutions, both formal and informal, that exercises authority or rule within a specific geographic boundary or organization through the application of various forms of political power and influence."popular supportThe degree and manner in which the population supports the political system and its official leadership. religious organizationsNon-state religiously-based actors (organizations) who may have both direct and indirect influence over the host nation government. separatist"An advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)." Stability Index"The index is a composite measure as it is based on several other indexes from multiple sources including the Economist Intelligence Unit, the World Economic Forum, and the Political Risk Services, among others. The underlying indexes reflect the likelihood of a disorderly transfer of government power, armed conflict, violent demonstrations, social unrest, international tensions, terrorism, as well as ethnic, religious or regional conflicts. The methodology of the overall index is kept consistent so the numbers are comparable over time." structure"The people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships."trading partner"A country, business, etc., with which another trades."CHAPTER 2: SECURITY DOMAINWhat is the Security Domain? The Security Domain involves coercive groups within a society. Those groups may be armed (e.g.: national militaries, militias, etc.) or unarmed (religious institutions, unions, etc.). They may be governmental (e.g.: law enforcement agencies), anti-governmental (e.g.: criminal, insurrectionist, etc.), or nongovernmental (i.e.: NGOs). Why is the Security Domain Important? Coercive groups can have profound impacts on society. To a large degree, they determine the degree of stability within a society. Understanding them and their influence is an important element in understanding how a society functions. What is important to consider when assessing the Security Domain? Coercive groups are organizations that have the potential to affect security policy. For the purposes of this framework, they are differentiated by whether or not they operate under the auspices of the Host Nation (HN), whether they are internal or external in origin, and whether or not they are armed/typically use physical force or the threat of physical force to influence policy. Host Nation Armed Coercive Groups includes the legally constituted military and law enforcement organizations within the area of interest and any paramilitary/militia forces sponsored by the government.Non-Host Nation Armed Coercive Groups are organizations operating within the borders of a nation, but not controlled by the national or local governments. This includes such organizations as local, tribal, or personal paramilitaries/militias and terrorist and/or criminal groups.Internal Unarmed Coercive Groups are indigenous organizations operating within the borders of a nation that typically do not use physical force to enact policyExternal Unarmed Coercive Groups are non-indigenous organizations operating within the borders of a nation that typically do not use physical force to enact policy.This Security Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 2.1: Security Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the security (military) operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 2.1: Security Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Security (military) Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. Who are the relevant coercive groups in the AO? Which coercive groups can influence operations?What is the mission/purpose of the coercive group?Describe the ideology of the coercive group. What is the origin of their ideology? How do coercive groups diverge or converge with local, national, regional, international, and/or U.S. agendas?What is the relationship between the coercive group and the HN Government?Is there any traditional/cultural basis behind how the coercive group operates?Is the coercive group modeled after a foreign military that trained or influenced it (American, British, Soviet, Middle Eastern, Israeli, or Chinese military systems)?What are the cooperative links between coercive groups (who has access/rapport/trust with whom)?What are the frictions between coercive groups? What is the basis of these frictions? What are the effects of these frictions?How do the demographics of the coercive group compare to the general population and other coercive groups (ethnically, religiously, etc.)?Does the coercive group recruit from specific demographics? Why?Does the coercive group conscript members? How are conscripts selected? What is the leadership structure of the coercive group? Who is officially in charge? Who actually wields power and influence in the group?Do leaders come from a particular population (i.e., class/caste/ethnic group/language group/etc.)?What is the degree of centralization within the coercive group hierarchy?Identify and describe patronage networks. How is the coercive group viewed by the population? How does the coercive group view itself in relation to the population? What influence do coercive groups have over aspects of society (the economy, law enforcement, essential services, social organizations, religious groups, etc.)?What is the division of labor between civil, police, and military units in the AO?“How will a US Military alliance or dealings with a particular ethnic group affect those in power? What are possible reactions of those groups that are ignored?” What links does the coercive group have to the US Government, US-based organizations, and/or US persons?What coercive groups receive US funds? How does this affect their legitimacy? Are they facing extortion by malign actors for profit? How else are they being leveraged based on US ties?How does the populace feel about their level of physical security?Does the coercive group have any non-US international links?How does the coercive group communicate (internally and externally)?What are HN coercive groups doing to promote a positive perception of security?What are HN coercive groups doing that detracts from promoting a positive perception of security?What system of law governs the conduct of the coercive group? Law of the land, customary law, separate military law, or leader fiat? Does the coercive group have links to crime or criminal elements/ enterprises?What is the human rights record of the coercive group? How are human rights abuses by the coercive group seen by the populace?What are the coercive group’s code of ethics or values? What is the level of esprit de corps and/or morale within the coercive group? What is its basis (skill, accomplishments, status, history/tradition, heroes, etc.)?GLOSSARYcoercive groupCoercive groups are organizations that seek to influence security policy.armed coercive groupAn armed coercive group is an organization that typically uses physical force to influence policy.unarmed coercive groupAn unarmed coercive group is an organization that typically does not use physical force to influence policy.criminal groupAn organization that operates outside of the HN legal norms and laws for their own enrichment.external unarmed coercive groupsAn external unarmed coercive group is a non-indigenous organization operating within the borders of a state that typically does not use physical force to influence policy. Examples of external unarmed coercive groups are IGOs and NGOs (see below).host nation coercive groupA host nation coercive group is an organization operating within the borders of a state, sanctioned and controlled by the national or local governments. Host nation coercive groups include the legally constituted military and law enforcement organizations and any paramilitary/militia forces sponsored by the government.Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)“An intergovernmental organization is an organization created by a formal agreement (for example, a treaty) between two or more governments. It may be established on a global, regional, or functional basis for wide-ranging or narrowly defined purposes or formed to protect and promote national interests shared by member states. Examples include the United Nations, the NATO, and the African Union.”Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)“A private, self-governing, not-for-profit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering; and/or promoting education, health care, economic development, environmental protection, human rights, and conflict resolution; and/or encouraging the establishment of democratic institutions and civil society.” “A nongovernmental organization is any nonprofit, voluntary citizens’ group which is organized on a local, national or international level. Nongovernmental organizations perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to governments, advocate and monitor policies, and encourage political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health. Others provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms, and help monitor and implement international agreements.”non-host nation coercive groupA non-host nation coercive group is an organization operating within the borders of a state, but not controlled by the national or local government of that state. Non-host nation coercive groups include such organizations as local, tribal, or personal paramilitaries/militias and terrorist and/or criminal groups. Non-host nation coercive groups may originate outside of the state in question, and may be state-sponsored or the actual forces of a foreign state.militias “a group of people who are not part of the armed forces of a country but are trained like soldiers.” "Irregular forces might be referred to or declare itself as a 'militia,'; however, the term militia is not typically used to describe guerrillas, insurgents, or criminals associated with opposing forces." paramilitary forces"Forces of groups distinct from the regular armed forces of any country, but resembling them in organization, equipment, training, or mission.”separatist groups "[A group of] advocates of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)."CHAPTER 3: ECONOMIC DOMAINWhat is the Economic Domain? According to the Oxford Dictionary economics is: “The branch of knowledge concerned with the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth.” The Economic Domain summarizes the socio-cultural aspects of the economies of the area of study. It includes descriptions of a society’s formal and informal (including traditional) economic systems and networks.Why is the Economic Domain important? The Economic Domain cannot be separated from other domains. Economic factors influence politics and also directly impact populations. Specific religions and ethnicities contain individualized tenets, habits, prohibitions, norms and mores regarding society’s economic patterns and institutions. What is important to consider when assessing the Economic Domain? Economics is never isolated from external influences. Every economic factor is linked to other socio-cultural domain factors; economics must be studied and assessed as part of a social system.Economics involves formal, state-level and official socioeconomic factors and informal, local, traditional, ethnic and unofficial indicators.Families may be economic agents through economic kinship rules, norms, marriage and reciprocity behaviors and customs. Economic kinship involves kin groups and their family members as agents of labor and instruments for social change and power.Economics can be either a closed or an open system depending upon the stakeholders.Cultural diffusion permeates economics by continually introducing new methods, behaviors, and values into existing systems. Economics can be a cultural driver.Economic differences and inequities (both real and perceived) among nations, regions and groups can contribute to conflict.This Economic Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 3.1: Economic Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the economic operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 3.1. Economic Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Economic Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration.Economic DemographicsPer the Cambridge Dictionary demographics is "The number and characteristics of people who live in a particular area or form a particular group, especially in relation to their age, how much money they have and what they spend it on." For the purposes of the SCAF, therefore, economic demographics refers to the key economic statistics and characteristics of the area/population under study. What is the country’s Stability Index? What is the AO’s gross domestic product (GDP)? What is the per capita income across the AO? By specific demographic group?What economic and socio-cultural factors determine the per capita income of an AO or country?Is the AO’s per capita income a good representation of wealth distribution? How is wealth distributed across the AO?What is the poverty level in the society under study? What is the unemployment rate across all demographic groups? “What is the daily wage of an average worker/laborer?”Is the country dependent upon international financial aid to meet its populations’ basic needs?What is country’s debt level? To whom do they owe money? What are the economically significant natural resources in the AO?What is the ratio of blue collar to white collar workers?What percent of the population’s adult males and females are in the labor force?SocioeconomicWhich jobs are considered honorable?” “What are the different formal and informal labor categories in the country?”Are children incorporated into the labor force? What are the country’s child labor laws, rules, norms and cultural customs? “What are the economic rhythms of the community (migration seasons, planting and harvesting, market days, work hours, [seasonal rounds])?”Do migrants and refugees hold the low paying and low status jobs or temporary positions? How are migrants and refugees seen by the permanent residents?What types of skilled and unskilled labor employment opportunities exist in the AO? Are there gender differences among skilled versus unskilled labor classes? In a kinship economy what is the basic productive unit (Individual household of husband, wife and children (nuclear family) or additional extended kin)? Are marriages considered labor units, socio-cultural units or both? Why or why not? Do wives in the country own their own property? Do wives have power in the marriage and family?What percentage of the country’s population travels to other countries or regions for employment? What reasons are reported for external work? What economic inequities exist in the AO?Does the country have a public welfare program or any type of national financial aid to underprivileged groups?What is the household’s (micro-level) perceptions of government commitment and aid to their communities?Are the country’s financial and natural resources equitably distributed to economically-disadvantaged populations? “Does wealth seem to be concentrated in the hands of certain individuals or groups? On what basis? What power is conferred from such a concentration?”“Do the elites own wealth, or do they possess power that generates wealth?”Economic SystemHow does the government provide economic opportunities to underserved or marginalized populations, such as women, certain ethnic groups, refugees and youth? Is the country investing in developing and expanding nontraditional financial access resources, such as mobile money agent outlets and microloans?“What infrastructure is required to support economic growth (electricity for factories, roads to move produce, security to minimize extortion/black market)?” Does the government and corporate interests consider the potential socioeconomic impacts to populations when considering natural resource exploration, development and marketing?Does the government consider environmental, human and economic risks associated with natural resource exploration and development?Does the government consider public opinion concerning economic development projects?Does the government consider tribal and ethnic cultures in economic and fiscal planning? Does the government prioritize certain regions for resource development according to economic need?Is the economic regulatory system favor certain groups? How much land and other natural resources is owned by the government? Private stakeholders?Does the nation’s constitution (if it has one) and economic policy prohibit holding public office and owning or regulating public economic resources?Are there socio-cultural trends regarding the sale of publically-owned land? Are there any collectivization efforts organized by the national government to pool land and natural resources? Economic Activity Economic SectorsWhat are the main economic sectors in the AO (manufacturing, agriculture, natural resource extraction, services, etc.)?How does each sector contribute to the local economy?What environmental impacts have resulted from economic activities in each sector? How do the local populations view the economic sectors in the AO?Who controls each sector?Who are the primary workers in each sector?Does the government subsidize certain sectors? Which sectors? Rural or urban? Why? What sectors are controlled by kin groups?What does the country/AO import? Export?“What goods/services are legal, but culturally frowned upon?”Manufacturing How much is the country or society industrialized? Modernized? Globalized? What percentage of natural resources are locally processed? Exported?MiningWhat resources are commercially mined? Are they nearing depletion?TourismWhat is the basis of tourism in the AO?Does instability prevent tourists from visiting the AO?How committed is the government to fostering tourism?Food ProcessingWhat foodstuffs are processed in the AO?What is the cold storage capability in the AO?ForestryHow are local forestry resources used within the AO? Construction? Fuelwood? Industry? Export? Etc.Have the AO’s forests been denuded?Aquaculture and Fisheries Are the aquaculture and fisheries freshwater or marine based?Does the aquaculture and fisheries industry remove subsistence resources from dependent populations in favor of export?AgricultureWhat are the primary crops harvested?Is there an agricultural intensification program in the country?Does the agriculture industry remove subsistence resources from dependent populations in favor of export?Is there enough arable land to feed the country’s population? Have total crop yields increased, remained about the same or decreased over the past 10-20 years? Commerce What types of monetary and non-monetary exchange systems are in use in the AO? Is there an informal tribal or traditionally-based financial exchange system, such as hawala? Do they run parallel to formal banking systems? Is barter and generalized reciprocity still practiced across all societies? If so, how do these customary practices help sustain underprivileged groups?Subsistence“What, in local terms, is considered food sufficiency, food scarcity, and the proper role of external forces in providing food?”Who and where are the subsistence populations in the AO? What are the different economic subsistence strategies practiced by family members? What types of subsistence assistance does the government provide?What effect have environmental disasters had on subsistence?“Which foods are strategic commodities, inasmuch as controlling access to them influences one’s coercive or political power?” What subsistence-based traditional ecological or environmental knowledge (TEK) is applied by certain tribal and ethnic groups?AgricultureWhat are the primary subsistence crops?Who owns the land?Who works the land?How valuable and culturally-tied are populations to horticulture practices?PastoralismWhat types of herds are managed and harvested?Are there nomadic herder populations who cross a country’s regional and international boundaries for their livelihood? How do other populations in the region feel about nomads and other pastoralists?Hunting and FishingWhat wild animals are harvested?How important are these resources to the area’s cultural groups?What are the religious or spiritual beliefs and practices associated with hunting and fishing?Is poaching routinely practiced in rural areas? Why? Income“Do males have to leave the country or region to find gainful employment? Is the migration [out-migration] seasonal, temporary, or permanent?”Do populations receive a large amount of remittances from distant kin? How important are remittances to certain populations in the country?Are certain ethnic, tribal or other social groups more dependent on remittances than others? Why or why not?Are there certain age groups who either remit or receive remittances? What are the percentages by sex of who remits or receives remittances? Illegal Economic Activities“Is there a local black market? Who is involved, what products, and how tied to the community and local government?” SmugglingWhat goods are commonly smuggled in or out of the AO?Where are the smuggling routes (or ‘ratlines’)? Do the local people avoid these trails?Is smuggling accepted by some populations for cultural, ethnic, economic or other reasons? Why or why not?Drug TraffickingWhat illegal drugs are part of the AO’s economy? What is the national government’s drug interdiction and eradication policy?Are people criminally or socially prosecuted for participating in traditional drugs processing and distribution? Why or why not? Human TraffickingWhat human trafficking takes place in the AO? What specific groups, ages, or sexes are trafficked? Are human organs sold on the black market? Are certain groups targeted for this activity, such as prisoners, enemies, defectors, religious opponents and marginalized ethnic groups? Arms TraffickingHow widespread is legal gun ownership? How does the population legally acquire guns?Is there an active black market arms trade in the country? Who are the main actors and benefactors of this trade? What types of arms do they buy, sell or exchange? Is the main motive financial, security, religious or ideological?CorruptionWhat bribes or ‘gifts’ are normal in conducting private or official business? Are special ‘fees’ or ‘taxes’ charged for government services that are designed to be free? Who charges these fees? Which social groups are targeted with bribery, coercion and intimidation to solicit illicit payments?What is the society’s level of trust and overall perceptions of government officials?How common is nepotism and cronyism? International Does the country use “soft power” or “hard power” in its economic policies? What international economic organizations does the country belong to or deal with? World Trade Organization (WTO)International Monetary Fund (IMF) Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Organization of Petroleum Exporting Country (OPEC)? “What export or local product are the people known for and the most proud of?” How active are UN development agencies in the country and which ones? How much international medical and other financial aid does the country receive for humanitarian purposes? Does the country have open markets and participate in free trade policies?How does the country view its global economic identity?“What percent of the formal and informal economy is under ‘foreign’ control?”GLOSSARYagriculture"Development and conservation of natural resources for agricultural purposes. Includes provision and support of agricultural extension services, experiment stations, fairs, associations, and other agricultural activities; promotion, improvement, regulation, and protection of agricultural production, processing, and marketing; and the like. Excludes activities related to fish and game, forestry, irrigation, flood control, and other conservation activities."agricultural commodities"Agricultural commodities, as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are derived from farming or the cultivating of the soil, producing crops, and raising livestock."arms trafficking“Arms trafficking involves illicit transfers of arms, ammunition, and associated materials. Criminal organizations may be involved in two types of arms trafficking: Small-scale transactions by individuals or small firms that deliberately transfer arms to illicit recipients. [and] Higher-value or more difficult illicit shipments of arms involving corrupt officials, brokers, or middle men motivated mainly by profit.”banking sector"The business conducted or services offered by a bank."barter"Exchange (goods or services) for other goods or services without using money." bribery"Bribery is giving money or other favors to influence someone. Criminals give money to people in power who make or influence decisions. For example, bribes to law-enforcement officials can cause them to have their patrols avoid a criminal organization's transit routes. If the organization is unable to bribe someone, it employs harsher methods, such as extortion, assassination, or murder, to gain cooperation."contraception (traditional forms)"Periodic abstinence, rhythm, withdrawal, douche, prolonged breastfeeding, and folk methods. Also known as natural methods." corruption"The inducement (as of a public official) by improper means (as bribery) to violate duty (as by committing a felony)." "The misuse of public power for private benefit."Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)An index of global countries ranked "by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys." Transparency International has produced this index since 1995. cybercrime"Cybercrimes are offenses targeting or using information technology. This includes computers, computer networks, and other telecommunication networks such as the Internet (chat rooms, emails, notice boards, and groups) and mobile phones. Such crimes may threaten not only individuals and groups but also a nation's security and financial health. Cybercrimes can facilitate a variety of other criminal activities, including money laundering, extortion, fraud, racketeering, gambling, smuggling, and trafficking."debt"…the amount borrowed by the government from the public or from government accounts." demographics"The number and characteristics of people who live in a particular area or form a particular group, especially in relation to their age, how much money they have and what they spend it on."drug trafficking"The illegal drug trade is a black market consisting of production, distribution, packaging, and sale of illegal psychoactive substances. The legality or illegality of the black markets purveying the drug trade is relative to geographic location. The drug-producing countries may be inclined to tolerate the drug traffickers because of bribery or the effect on the country's economy. Drugs often cross international borders in order to reach the best paying customers. The massive profits inherent to the drug trade serve to extend its reach. The social consequences of drug trade include crime, violence, and social unrest."economic development"Qualitative change and restructuring in a country's economy in connection with technological and social progress. The main indicator of economic development is increasing GNP per capita (or GDP per capita), reflecting an increase in the economic productivity and average material wellbeing of a country's population. Economic development is closely linked with economic growth." economic growth"Annual percentage growth rate of GDP at market prices based on constant local currency." employment"Work performed or services rendered in exchange for compensation." fiscal policy"Federal government policies with respect to taxes and spending that affect the level, composition, and distribution of national income and output." food processing sector"The action of performing a series of mechanical or chemical operations on food in order to change or preserve it." foreign aidEconomic and military development assistance to other (non-host nation) countries. There are many types of foreign aid, ranging from emergency, humanitarian, food aid, and military to other factors that help countries leave poverty conditions and defend themselves from internal and external security threats. “Assistance (as economic aid) provided by one nation to another.”foreign direct investment"Foreign direct investment in the United States: Ownership or control, directly or indirectly, by one foreign person, or entity, of 10 percent or more of the voting securities of an incorporated U.S. business enterprise or an equivalent interest in an unincorporated U.S. business enterprise. Related terms: Direct investment, Foreign parent, U.S. affiliate." "Direct Investment: Investment in which a resident of one country obtains a lasting interest in, and a degree of influence over, the management of a business enterprise in another country. In the United States, the criterion used to distinguish direct investment from other types of investment is ownership of at least 10 percent of the voting securities of an incorporated business enterprise or an equivalent ownership interest of an unincorporated business enterprise."healers“A person who claims to be able to cure a disease or injury using special powers; a person or thing that mends or repairs something; something that alleviates a person’s distress or anguish.” Typically, folk or traditional medicine healers or practitioners of non-western forms of medicine who play a role in a society's health services. Some traditional healers are known as midwives or shamans.goods and services"Durable goods: Tangible products that can be stored or inventoried and that have an average life of at least three years." "Nondurable goods: Tangible products that can be stored or inventoried and that have an average life of less than three years." "Services: Products that cannot be stored and are consumed at the place and time of their purchase." Gross Domestic Product (GDP)"The value of all final goods and services produced within the borders of a country such as the United States in a given period, whether produced by residents or nonresidents. The components of GDP are personal consumption expenditures, gross private domestic investment, net exports of goods and services, and government consumption expenditures and gross investment. That value is conceptually equal to the sum of incomes generated within the borders of the country in the same period." human trafficking"Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons (including children) for the purpose of exploitation. It involves the threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, and/or abuse. Human trafficking may take two forms: Sex trafficking is which a person is induced to perform a commercial sex act. [and] The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, debt bondage, or slavery." illegal immigration'"The percentage of people who live or work in a sovereign country but do not have the legitimate or legal right to do so." industrialization"The development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale." Internally Displaced Person (IDP)A person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is forced from his/her habitual residence and resides in another location inside of his/her country of nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to it.international trade"International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries; total trade equals exports plus imports." manufacturing sector"The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products." "The Manufacturing sector comprises establishments engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. The assembling of component parts of manufactured products is considered manufacturing, except in cases where the activity is appropriately classified in Section 23, Construction. Establishments in the Manufacturing sector are often described as plants, factories, or mills and characteristically use power-driven machines and materials-handling equipment. However, establishments that transform materials or substances into new products by hand or in the worker's home and those engaged in selling to the general public products made on the same premises from which they are sold, such as bakeries, candy stores, and custom tailors, may also be included in this sector. Manufacturing establishments may process materials or may contract with other establishments to process their materials for them. Both types of establishments are included in manufacturing. The materials, substances, or components transformed by manufacturing establishments are raw materials that are products of agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, or quarrying as well as products of other manufacturing establishments. The materials used may be purchased directly from producers, obtained through customary trade channels, or secured without recourse to the market by transferring the product from one establishment to another, under the same ownership." mining sector"The Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction sector comprises establishments that extract naturally occurring mineral solids, such as coal and ores; liquid minerals, such as crude petroleum; and gases, such as natural gas. The term mining is used in the broad sense to include quarrying, well operations, beneficiating (e.g., crushing ,screening, washing, and flotation), and other preparation customarily performed at the mine site, or as a part of mining activity." monetary policy"A policy affecting the money supply, interest rates, and credit availability that is intended to achieve maximum sustainable output and employment and to promote stable prices (interpreted as a low-inflation environment in practice). Monetary policy is directed by the Federal Reserve System."natural resources"All 'gifts of nature' - air, land, water, forests, wildlife, topsoil, minerals- used by people for production or for direct consumption. Can be either renewable or nonrenewable. Natural resources include natural capital plus those gifts of nature that cannot be stocked (such as sunlight) or cannot be used in production (such as picturesque landscapes)." pastoralismA subsistence economic livelihood based upon the raising, keeping and grazing of sheep, cattle, goats or other domesticated livestock.per capita income"The total national income divided by the number of people in the nation."poverty line"The income level people require to buy life's basic necessities - food, clothing, housing - and satisfy their most important sociocultural needs. The poverty line changes over time and varies by region. Also called subsistence minimum." racketeering"…a racket is a fraudulent scheme, enterprise, or activity. It is usually an illegitimate business made workable by bribery or intimidation. A racketeer is one who extorts money or advantages by threats of violence, by blackmail, or by unlawful interference with business or employment. Therefore, racketeering overlaps with bribery, intimidation, and extortion." reciprocity"The practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one country or organization to another." refugee"A refugee is a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is outside his or her country of nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country; or a stateless person, who, being outside of the country of former habitual residence for the same reasons as mentioned above, is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to it." "A person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country." remittances"Funds collected from the public that arise from the government's exercise of its sovereign or governmental powers. They come from a variety of sources, including individual and corporate income taxes, excise taxes, customs duties, estate and gift taxes, payroll taxes for social insurance programs, and miscellaneous receipts (primarily remittances of the Federal Reserve System, fees, and fines). Federal revenues are also known as federal governmental receipts." "An amount of money that you send to someone." shadow economy"Consists of business activates that are not accounted for by official statistics. In includes illegal activities (or the so-called black market) and activities that are in themselves legal but go unreported or under-reported for purposes of tax evasion. skilled labor"All the economically active people in a country between 15 and 65. Includes all employed persons, the unemployed, and members of the armed services, but excludes students and unpaid caregivers such as homemakers." smuggling"Smuggling is the clandestine transportation of illegal goods or persons. It usually involves illegal movement across an international border. There are various motivations to smuggle. These include participation in illegal trade, illegal immigration or emigration, and tax evasion. Smuggling is often related to trafficking in persons, drugs, or arms." Standard International Trade Classification (SITC)"SITC: An internationally recognized foreign trade data classification system. This system, which was developed by the United Nations, provides the commodity aggregates needed for economic analysis and permits international comparisons of foreign trade data." standard of living"The level of well-being (of an individual, group or the population of a country) as measured by the level of income (for example, GNP per capita) or by the quantity of various goods and services consumed (for example, the number of cars per 1,000 people or the number of television sets per capita). See also quality of life."subsistence"Subsistence activities are activities that one engages in for the purposes of producing goods for his or her own family's use and needs. These activities include growing/gathering good, fishing, cutting crops for home use, raising livestock, making handicrafts for home use, and other productive activities not primarily for commercial purposes." tourism sector"The commercial organization and operation of vacations and visits to places of interest." trafficking"Trafficking is the transportation of goods or persons for the purpose of making a profit. Criminals conduct illegal trafficking. Human trafficking (trafficking in persons) is the second largest criminal activity in the world-followed by drug trafficking and arms trafficking." unemployment"…the number of people who do not have jobs but have actively looked for work in the previous four weeks and are currently available for work, expressed as a percentage of the civilian work force." wealth distribution/inequalityThe economic inequality that exists across the country's socioeconomic classes and/or how public and private spending/wealth is allocated. “Wealth inequality can be described as the unequal distribution of assets within a population” “…the way in which the wealth and income of a nation are divided among its population, or the way in which the wealth and income of the world are divided among nations.”CHAPTER 4: POPULATION DOMAINWhat is the Population Domain? For the purposes of the SCAF, population is defined as “…all the inhabitants of a particular town, area, or country.” Population demography is “…used to develop an understanding of the age, sex, and racial composition of a population and how it has changed over time through the basic demographic processes of birth, death, and migration.”Why is the Population Domain important? The Population Domain is important because it provides a macro-level detailed description of populations, including all demographic variables (i.e., race, sex, gender, age, ethnicity, language, kinship, socioeconomic status, religion, life expectancy, migration rates, occupation, etc.). What is important to consider when assessing the Population Domain?The Population Domain focuses on the total population of the AO.The Population Domain provides a basis for identifying a population’s sub-groups. The Population Domain includes demographics that are dynamic quantitative measures. The Population Domain allow researchers to track changes in a population. The Population Domain is used to identify risk factors and vulnerabilities in the AO.The Population Domain is integral to international aid and US actions in the AO. Population Domain parameters often overlap. This Population Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 4.1: Population Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the population domain aspects of the society operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 4.1: Population Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Population Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration.DemographicsWhat are the relevant demographic parameters in the population? (i.e., tribe, ethnicity, religion, location, socio-economic status, etc.)DensityWhat is the population density in the AO? What is the population distribution in the AO?Growth RateWhat is the population growth rate over the past ten years? Past 25 years? Has the population experienced significant population growth (population explosion) over the past 50 years? If so, what caused this growth? Socio-EconomicsWhat is the average household income? What is the income distribution across the AO? What effect does income distribution have on the population? What is the poverty line in the AO? Are most households above the poverty line? Which sub-groups are below the poverty line? Why?What is the poverty rate in the AO? What is the average household size? What is the standard household type (one-family household, multi-family household)? How do the different household types influence the population? What is the culturally appropriate age that males and females can enter the labor force? Life ExpectancyWhat is the life expectancy for the population? Does it differ across sub-groups? If so, why?Age DistributionWhat is the age distribution of the population?How does this profile influence the AO? Ethnic DistributionWhat is the ethnic distribution of the population? What factors led to this distribution?What is the language distribution in the AO? Do certain languages have more cultural importance to certain groups of the population? Why or why not?What is geographic distribution of the ethnic groups in the AO? Which ethnic groups live in homogeneous enclaves?Religious DistributionWhat is the religious distribution of the population? What factors led to this distribution?What is geographic distribution of the religious groups in the AO? Which religious groups live in homogeneous enclaves?Urban:Rural Where does the population reside? Rural or urban areas? What are the socio-cultural implications the rural:urban split?Do people self-identify first with their community, region, city, nation, etc.? Male:Female What is the male to female ratio for the population? What are the socio-cultural implications of the male:female ratio? Military Aged MalesWhat is the distribution of military-aged males across the AO? How many of them are employed? Students? EducationWhat is the average education level in the AO? How does it differ by demographic group?Who is responsible for education policy and curriculum development for the formal education system?What are the levels of participation and achievement in education by demographic group? What explains any differences? How are these differences associated with social status?What is the ratio of secular to religious/religious-sponsored schools in the AO? How is this ratio significant? How has education been politicized in the AO? Which groups or organizations have politicized education? What are the implications of politicization to the population’s youth?Educational NormsHow does the population support or participate in formal education? What forms of formal education are there (state-run schools, religious schools, etc.)?How does the population support or participate in informal education as defined by that culture’s norms, mores, or traditions? What are they (home schooling, camp schooling, apprenticeships, etc.)?LanguageWhat language is used to teach in the formal education system? What languages are taught?Do children learn different languages from their family than what is taught in the formal education system? Why? What are they? What is the literacy rate in the AO? How does the literacy rate differ between sub-groups?MigrationHas the AO experienced a significant population migration in recent years? If so, why? Was the migration voluntary or involuntary?Has the migration had a socio-cultural effect on the AO? How has the population accommodated migration (pluralism, syncretism, assimilation)?Does the migrating group view its relocation as temporary or permanent? Why? What conditions have influenced migration (conflict, natural disasters, economics, etc.)? Are these recurring events? Do they affect the entire population or only certain sub-groups in the AO? Why?InternalWhat kind of nomadic seasonal migration occurs in the AO? What groups are involved? Is it part of a cultural tradition (i.e., nomadic Kuchi in Afghanistan)? Temporary employment?What is the recent history of migration for employment (i.e., rural persons relocating to urban areas to work in factories)?What is the rate of urbanization? Urban flight? What are the causes? What are the consequences?ExternalWhat is the rate of immigration? Do specific sub-groups tend to immigrate more than others? What are the reasons for immigration? What are the trends?What is the rate of illegal immigration? Do specific sub-groups tend to illegally immigrate more than others? What are the reasons for illegal immigration? What are the trends?How does the population view legal and illegal immigration? Does the population favor immigration restrictions (i.e., limiting immigration into their AO based upon perceived threats to the nation’s economy, national security, etc.)? What is the rate of emigration? Do specific sub-groups tend to emigrate more than others? What are the reasons for emigration? What are the trends?Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)What is the rate of refugees flowing into or out of the AO recently? From/to where? Are the refugees from particular groups? Why?How many persons have been displaced in the AO recently? From/to where? Are the IDPs from particular groups? Why?How does the population generally view refugees and/or IDPs?What governmental and/or non-governmental entities provide support to refugees/IDPs in the AO?What transportation and shelters exist to support refugees/IDPs (i.e., sports stadiums, airport hangers and runways, church’s/mosques/temples, etc.)? HealthWhat are the most prevalent medical problems? What health issue(s) does the population consider the most pressing? Why? What are the causes of these health issues?What is the status of behavioral/mental health and the availability of related health care in the AO? What are the population’s perceptions of people afflicted with behavioral/mental health issues in the AO?What are the health/medical needs specific to different groups (i.e., infants, children, females, and elderly)? Are there any cultural proscriptions in treating or responding to the population (i.e., Muslim aversions to alcohol wipes, or swabs and females treating females)?What health disparities exist in the AO? Why do these disparities exist?What is the ratio between demand and healthcare service in the AO? Are there imbalances? If so, what are they and why do they exist?HealersWhat is the ratio of medical professionals to residents in the AO? What is the distribution of health care professionals compared to the population distribution across the AO? Are there enough to treat the entire population? Why or why not? Which groups are underserved? Why?Does the population value modern medicine and its practitioners? Why or why not? Does the population consult and use traditional healers, midwives, shamans, etc.? What traditional practitioners are used and valued by the population? Does the population place more value, esteem and trust on its traditional healers than modern medicine?Drug UseDoes the population have any cultural aversions to modern medicines, treatments or vaccines? If so, what are they? What are the uses of local or traditional drugs/medicines?Does the population cultivate their own drug/medicine crops? If so, what are these drugs? What is their legal status in the AO? What are the illicit substances used in the AO? Where do they come from?How prevalent is substance abuse by the population?GLOSSARYage"Census Bureau programs define age as the length of time in completed years that a person has lived. For the most decennial census, age was the length of time in completed years that a person has lived as of Census Day… The Census Bureau's national surveys compute age as of the interview date." ancestry"Refers to a person's self-identification of the ethnic origin, descent, roots, heritage, or place of birth of the person or of the person's ancestors. Selected ancestry groups include Arab, Brazilian, Canadian, Czech, Ethiopian, Haitian, Irish, Jamaican, Italian, Nigerian, Russian, etc." birth rate"The average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 population midyear. Also known as the crude birth rate." death rate"The average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 population at midyear. Also known as the crude death rate." demographics"The number and characteristics of people who live in a particular area or form a particular group, especially in relation to their age, how much money they have and what they spend it on."demographic profile"A technique used to develop an understanding of the age, sex, and racial composition of a population and how it has changed over time through the basic demographic processes of birth, death, and migration. Demographic Analysis (DA) also refers to a specific set of techniques for developing national population estimates by age, sex, and race from administrative records to be used to assess the quality of the decennial census." demography"The study of population statistics and trends, such as births, deaths, and disease." education normsA country or region's educational norms are the average person's education level, such as a certain percentage may have had secular education through the eighth grade. Education norms are typically represented by sex and age categories.ethnicity"Numerous studies reveal that identification of ethnicity is fluid and self-perceptions of race and ethnicity change over time and across circumstances for many people. This is especially true among persons with heterogeneous ancestries…Public testimony and research indicate that race and ethnicity are subjective concepts and inherently ambiguous. For purposes of collecting data in the United States, race and ethnicity are cultural concepts and social constructs. As stated in the current version of Directive No. 15, the racial and ethnic categories are not intended to reflect scientific or anthropological definitions of who should be included in a particular category. The definitions of the minimum set of population categories under Directive No. 15 include references to color, ancestry, and geographic origins in an effort to approximate social constructs of race prevalent in the United States." "The fact of state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition." emigrant"Emigrants are people leaving the country where they usually reside and effectively taking up residence in another country. According to the 1998 UN recommendations on the statistics of international migration (Revision 1), an individual is a long-term emigrant if he/she leaves his/her country of previous usual residence for a period of 12 months or more." labor force"The number of people age 16 or older in the civilian non-institutionalized population who have jobs or who are available for work and are actively seeking jobs."life expectancy"The average number of years a group of people born in the same year can be expected to live if mortality at each age remains constant in the future." literacy"The ability to read and write." Literacy definitions are country or region-specific. One developing country may have different literacy standards and by a specific language.literacy rate"The percentage of people who are able to read and write [in a country or population.].” male:femaleThe quantitative ratio of males to females in the study population or host nation. Sex categories are divided into age groups, for example, by ten-year increments beginning with infancy.migrant"A person who (1) belongs to a normally migratory culture who may cross national boundaries, or (2) has fled his or her native country for economic reasons rather than fear of political or ethnic persecution.”military age malesThe total number of military-age males or fighting-age males, usually specific to the study population or host nation. For example, in Afghanistan, the Army classified Afghan FAMs/MAMs as between the ages of 15 to 64 years. This group represents those males able to serve as fighting or security forces on behalf of their host nation or other non-governmental armed forces.population density"Total population within a geographic entity (for example, United States, state, county, place) divided by the land area of that entity measured in square kilometers or square miles. Density is expressed as both 'people per square kilometer' and 'people per square mile' of land area." population growth rate"The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. Also known as population growth rate or average annual rate of growth." religion"The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods." sex"Sex is based on the biological attributes of men and women (chromosomes, anatomy, hormones). For the purpose of the Census Bureau surveys and decennial census, sex refers to a person's biological sex."urban-rural"Of, relating to, or characteristic of both the country and a city or town; designating interaction or comparison between the two."CHAPTER 5: SOCIETY DOMAINWhat is the Society Domain? FM 3-24.2 defines society as, “…a population whose members are subject to the same political authority, occupy a common territory, have a common culture, and share a sense of identity.” The term society can apply to a nation, a region, an organization, a community, or other social grouping.Why is the Society Domain important? Populations claim membership in various societies, ranging from within their own society (intra-social) to external societal affiliations (inter-social). Societies provide boundaries, rules, practices and diverse ethno-tribal-sectarian beliefs to people. They also foster cooperative relationships to sustain life, enjoy cultural events, share athletic activities, and nurture societal identities. What is important to consider when assessing the Society Domain? Societies can be formal or informal and open or closed. Societies usually have one dominant culture and several secondary cultures.Individuals in the society often belong to multiple groups, institutions, and networks that form the society.Societies are dynamic.Religious institutions have great importance and identity parameters in all societies. This Society Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 5.1: Society Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the societal operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 5.1. Society Domain taxonomic schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Society Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. Social Power What constitutes social power in the AO? How is social power transferred in the AO? “Which groups hold power, and to what degree of concentration?” “Which groups are excluded…?”LeadershipHow is social authority gained in the AO? Do formal or informal leaders have more legitimacy in the AO? Who? Why?How is social power gained in the AO? Do formal or informal leaders have more power in the society? Who? Why?InstitutionsWhat institutions wield power in the AO? Do those institutions hold the trust and confidence of the population in the AO? Why/Why not?What are the most influential social institutions in the AO? Why?Social Identity“What are the reasons underlying social unity? What is it that holds the society together? What provides ‘meaning’ to this society?” Does the main society possess a collective identity? Why or why not? Is there a strong nation-state identity shared in the AO? If yes, what is it based on?Is identity collectivist or individualist?Does a culture of victimhood exist in the AO? If so, consider the reasons and historical background.EthnicityWhat are the different ethnic social groups within the AO?In what ways do ethnic groups confer affiliation or membership to their social group? Do certain ethnic groups have more social influence in the region than others? Why or why not? Which ones have the power or may be considered ‘elites?’“What physical symbols (clothing, headdress, insignia, and scarification) indicate membership or status in the ethnic, religious, and social groups of the region?”What are the sources of inter and intra ethnic conflict in the AO? Do immigrant ethnic groups face discrimination in the country? Do ethnic groups suffer from stereotypes if they are originally from another country or region? (Even if they share the same dominant ethnic group of the new society, such as the Kurds migrating to a different nation-state.)GenderIs the society a matriarchy or a patriarchy? What are the gender roles in the AO?What power do women wield in the AO? “If women are not visibly observable, what roles and tasks do they undertake ‘behind the scenes?’” Who is in control of most social groups, men or women? How are women viewed in the society?“What roles do women play in local militaries and insurgencies? Do they engage in armed combat?”What are the gender issues or problems in the AO? KinAre there any tribes present in the AO? If so, who are they? Do they generally get along with each other, or not?How important are kin groups? What groups, if any, does the population feel a stronger affinity for than its kin group? Do the kin groups in the AO identify with any totemic clans or tribal ancestral affiliations? If so, what are they and why are they important in present-day? “Does the society rely upon ‘fictive’ kinship? What is the essence of this fiction – which segments of society does it uphold, and which segments does it suppress?”What role do households have in this society? Are they nuclear-or-extended family-based? “Do members of a family identify with the father’s side/relatives (patrilineal), the mother’s side/relatives (matrilineal), or both?” “Is there an age grading system that stratifies people according to their age and stage in the life cycle? And if so, what rights, roles, and duties do people have at each stage?”“What special status or roles are accorded to the elderly?”How are elders perceived in this society? Are they valued for their knowledge and experience? Why or why not?Are elders some of the society’s formal and informal leaders? How is marriage practiced in the dominant society? Is polygamy legal? Are religious marriage ceremonies automatically acknowledged by the nation-state?ReligionWhat are the religions in the AO? Which religion is dominant? What religion(s) is spreading with many converts in the region? Do all social classes share the same religious affiliations and beliefs?What are religious norms in the AO? How do they affect society?What religious practices or rites may affect US operations in the AO?How do the most powerful and socially dominant groups display and practice religion? Which ethnic or kin groups are aligned with which religions in the AO? Does the society separate magic from formal religions? Do people believe in witchcraft and witches as active agents in their lives?Does the country have any folk religions practiced by the population? If so, what are they? Do the people value their folk religions more than the dominant, mainstream religion (such as Christianity, Islam or Hinduism)StratificationHow is the society stratified?What role does class play in society?“How is access to essential resources for survival (food, shelter, clothing, water) determined by class?”How are class stratification barriers determined (ethnicity, religion, descent, wealth, education, region of origin, inheritance, or other factors)? How do individuals move across different social classes? Who decides if crossing class boundaries can occur? Peers? Elders? Community or other leaders? Socialization ProcessDo different community members voice specific grievances that may engender feelings of hostility or potential violence against society? How well integrated are the ethnic groups within the society? If not, where are the friction points? Do most social groups in the AO feel welcome or are they alienated by the majority group(s)?Who are the vocal radical minorities and what organization and/or social group do they represent? Social Problems What are the social problems that cause conflict? What are the primary sources of tension between different AO social groups? How do inter-societal relationships promote or deter cooperation?What social problems have conflicts and/or wars in the region created or exacerbated in the society under consideration?How are the society’s social problems perceived by the local populations? Do they believe they are capable of addressing and solving these issues? Do they view these problems as solvable challenges or as permanent problems out of their control?GLOSSARYauthority"Authority is the legitimate exercise of power." class"Large groups of people who are distinguished by their relationship to the means of production, and their role in the relations of production." community"A set of individuals…who share, in addition to a sense of common peoplehood, a set of basic values." community structure"The relationship among the people, missions and goals, management, activities, and outcomes involved in a community." community councils"A body of people elected to manage the affairs of a city, county, or other municipal district." customary law"There is no generally accepted definition of what constitutes customary law. In general, it could be said that customary systems of justice refer to the types of justice systems that exist at the local or community level which have not been set up by the state, and that derive their legitimacy from the mores, values, and traditions of the indigenous ethnic group. Although they are often indicated by the term 'informal' or 'non-state', they do not exist unrelated to, and function independently from state legal systems. On the contrary customary and state legal systems mutually define each other in their many interactions." ethnicity"A self-perceived group of people who hold in common a set of traditions not shared by others." “Identification of individual with unique subgroup in a society, distinguished by specific behaviors, characteristics, and social symbols. Include a language specifically to the group; symbols reflecting group membership or carrying hidden meaning; unique traditions, rituals and holidays; dress unique to the group; shared sense, or memory of history – often enshrined in mythical stories of folk tales; attachment to a place or region that holds symbolic meaning.” Ethnicity can be based on language, religion, skin color, nationality, tribal affiliation, shared history and mythic cultural heroes.ethnic groups"An ethnic group is a human community whose learned cultural practices, language, history, ancestry, or religion distinguish them from others. Members of ethnic groups see themselves as different from other groups in a society and are recognized as such by others." ethnocentrism"Ethnocentrism is the practice of interpreting and evaluating behavior and objects by reference to the standards of one's own culture rather than by those of the culture to which they belong." familyA family structure is…"a social group characterized by common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction." "Others argue that the family should be considered as a kinship group and should not be confused with other social groups based on common residence (household) or function (domestic unit)." "A descent [i.e., biological inheritance] principle culturally used to define eligibility for membership in a kin group." "A relationship defined by connection to an ancestor (or ancestress) through a culturally recognized sequence of parent-child links (from father to son to son's son = patrilineal descent, from mother to daughter to daughter's daughter = matrilineal descent." folk religion"Folk religion is the totality of all those views and practices of religion that exist among the people apart from and alongside the strictly theological and liturgical forms of the official religion." "...folk religion represents neither Christianity's 'contamination' of ethnic folk belief nor the 'misinterpretation' of Christianity by the nonliterate rural populace, but a functional system in which the most useful elements of each belief system are adopted and fashioned into a syncretic whole." gender"Gender is a social construction whereby a society or culture assigns certain tendencies or behaviors the labels of masculine or feminine. These assignments may differ across cultures and among people within a culture, and even across time. Gender may or may not correspond directly to sex--depending on the society or culture or period. That means, for example, that people may associate themselves with femininity (as defined by their culture) while being biologically male." gender roles"The roles imposed to women and men by the society." indigenous populations and institutions (IPI)"The societal framework of an operational environment including citizens, legal and illegal immigrants, dislocated civilians, and governmental, tribal, ethnic, religious, commercial, and private organizations and entities. Also called IPI." kin groups"A social group whose members define their relationship (or their edibility for membership) by kinship or common descent." kinship"Relationship based on or modeled on the culturally recognized connection between parents and children (and extended to siblings and through parents to more distant relatives." marriage“The legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.” The socially and culturally sanctioned uniting of a man and a woman. Some societies practice exogamy, or marriage to individuals outside of their social group; other practice endogamy or marriage limited to a specific category, group of community of individuals for potential marriage partners.mores"Mores are social rules and regulations of a moral nature. Their observance furthers membership, inclusion, regard and esteem." “Implicit or explicit rules regarding permissible or forbidden behavior. In contrast to norms, violations of a cultural more are usually accompanied by serious repercussions.” nation“Idea of a commonality of identity and destiny among a group of people, often with political implications. Based on shared traits such as (but not limited to or requiring) Language, ethnicity, history, religion, memory of past, aspirations for future. Nationalism is the ideology motivating political movements on the basis of these traits.”normsNorms are socially acceptable regular patterns of behavior and rules followed by individuals and social groups. "Norms may be either moral (incest prohibition, homicide prohibition) or customary (prayer before a meal, removing shoes before entering a house)." "Rules in a culture, also known as norms, are embodied in folkways, mores, and laws." "[A] pattern of behavior expected within a particular society in a given situation. The shared belief of what is normal and acceptable shapes and enforces the actions of people in a society. The very fact that others in one's society follow the norm may give them a reason to follow it. Important norms are called mores. In terms of the media or the information system in general these are used to describe what is expected in the society or related to ethics, such as honesty."power"Power is the ability to mobilize or immobilize people to produce intended results for particular purposes. The exercise of power may be legal, illegal, or extralegal. It relates to the purpose or goal of the power wielder only." "A right or authority that is given or delegated to a person or body." "Political or social authority or control, especially that exercised by a government." religion"Religion is the organized expression of a culture's belief system." religious groups“A set of individuals whose identity as such is distinctive in terms of common religious creed, beliefs, doctrines, practices, or rituals.” Religiously-based social groups which subscribe to a particular religion and its practices. Religious sects or denominations are subcultural social groups within one religion, such as Sunni and Shi'a (Islam) or Lutheran and Methodist (Protestant religion).religious institutions“[Religious institutions are] constituted houses of worship and other organizations that depended at least in part upon religious funding and were staffed and attended by persons with avowedly religious motivations. Religious discourse was likely to be a staple of these institutions as well.” Religious institutions are religious social groups, whose members belong to and practice a particular religion. They often perform both religious and secular community acts in their societies that are non-governmental, in nature.ritual"A ritual is a stereotyped sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and objects performed to influence supernatural entities or forces on behalf of the actors' goals and interests. Rituals can be either sacred or secular." secular“not spiritual; of or relating to the physical world and not the spiritual world; not religious; of, relating to, or controlled by the government rather than by the church.”secular institutionsSecular institutions are non-religious social groups, whose members share and practice secular membership traits.sex"Sex is based on the biological attributes of men and women (chromosomes, anatomy, hormones). For the purpose of the Census Bureau surveys and decennial census, sex refers to a person's biological sex." social controlCultural norms, folkways, mores and laws that individuals in societies are expected to follow. Social control mechanisms, such as ridicule, ostracism, peer pressure and force assure compliance in a society.social mobility"The ability to move up or down in social class (typically defined in terms of wealth)." social power"The capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events [in a society].”social stratificationThe degree to which different social groups are socially stratified and represent different social classes. "Stratification deals with access to political, economic, or social privileges. In stratification, individuals hope to break the barriers that curtail their economic benefits (such as unemployment), their political influence (lack of legitimate representation), or their social acceptance (an unfavorable background)." “Resources, power, and decision-making are limited to certain categories of people with=n a community, based upon status, entitlement, and rank. Society is this multi-leveled, with groups enfranchised or disenfranchised according to their place in lower of higher social levels.” social structure/system"Social structure refers to the relations among groups of persons within a system of groups. Social structures persist over time… Social structure involves the arrangement of the parts that constitute society, the organization of social positions, and the distribution of people within those positions." “How people organize their political, economic and social relationships.”society"A society is a population whose members are subject to the same political authority, occupy a common territory, have a common culture, and share a sense of identity."CHAPTER 6: CULTURAL DOMAINWhat is the Cultural Domain? Per Joint Publication 2-01.3 Joint Intelligence Preparation of the Operational Environment culture is, “[a] system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that members of a society use to cope with their world and with one another.” Why is the Cultural Domain important? The Cultural Domain “gives insights into the way people think, the reasons for their beliefs and perceptions, and what kind of behavior they can be expected to display in given situations.” What is important to consider when assessing the Cultural Domain? All culture is learned behavior.Culture is not a monolithic, assiduously followed set of rules, but more of a guiding force open to individual interpretation, which affects its application. Culture is shared by the people who practice it within a bounded society. Although culture is frequently associated with a geographic region, it is not uncommon for multiple cultures to operate in the same physical area or polity. The Pennsylvania Amish, for example, practice their distinct culture within the same general location and under the same political authority as people whose culture is significantly different. In many large cities, multiple ethnic cultures operate in parallel with each other at one level, while at a second level a hybrid, umbrella culture guides the interactions of people operating between ethnic cultures. Culture is dynamic. External and internal forces continuously influence culture. Cultural diffusion occurs across geographic borders and between socio-cultural boundaries.Culture is complex. Culture has been described as a “‘web of meaning’ shared by members of a particular society or group within a society.” By providing meaning, culture frames adherents’ worldviews, values, customs, and behaviors. Because these phenomena are interrelated and situationally dependent, changes in any of them or in their context could affect the rest. This Cultural Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 6.1: Cultural Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the cultural operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 6.1: Cultural Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Cultural Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. HistorySignificant EventsWhat significant events shaped the history of the AO? (Wars, conquests, natural disasters, legislation, etc.)? How did these significant events change the culture? Do any of these significant events evoke emotion among the people? Why? Which groups are the most affected?Folklore, Legends, and MythsWhich histories, folktales, and sayings are used to emphasize or teach values and ideals? What myths explain the creation and/or essence of the culture? What do their schools teach about this?“To what extent do the people identify with a national myth? How does the national myth conflict with other social constructs (religion, kin, ethnic)?”“What are the daily sayings and folktales that everyone refers to in common conversation?”“Do different groups give different significance to the same stories? How?”“Who are the local heroes? What important qualities do these heroes embody?” (real persons or mythological)“Who are the local villains? Why are they villainous (what makes them evil)?” (real persons or mythological)“How are these histories, folktales, and sayings used to support propaganda for or against U.S. Military and U.S. activities in the region?”BeliefsWorldviewWhat is the dominant worldview? What is the basis of this worldview?What groups hold alternative worldviews? What are the alternative worldviews, if any? What is the basis of each alternative worldview?How does the worldview effect society?What biases or prejudices emanating from the worldview may impact US activities?NarrativesWhat are the key narratives of the culture(s)? What cultural stories do all people share? How does the government manipulate the narratives?ReligionBeliefsWhat is the dominant religion in the society? What are other significant religions?What conflicts exist between religions? What are the tenets of the major religions? Are the religions focused on social welfare, morality, an afterlife, or a combination thereof?“To what extent is the religion or religions of the country a unifying, or divisive element?” What are the key religious narratives? What do they signify and whom do they support?Practices “What are the religious practices?” How does religion interface with the daily lives of the people?“What are the general trends in the country, i.e., a move toward secularization or a revival of religious fervor?” “What is the relationship between the [religious] leadership and secular leadership? What influence do religious leaders have over the populace in matters of state?” “What conflicts or disagreements exist between the formal religious system and local religious practices?” “What is the basis of religious authority? Education? Ordination? Self-identification? Lineage?”Rituals“What are the rites of passage? Rites of enhancement?” “What behaviors and actions are important in the ritual or ceremony, and what does this reveal about cultural ideals and values?” “What does the public performance of the ritual communicate to outsiders?” Do people combine or pick-and-choose different rituals, beliefs and practices from different religions (religious syncretism)?Values“What are the basic values of this society?”EthosWhat are the general character traits of the people in the AO? What aspirations are widely shared in the population?What is the prevalent philosophy towards the family and state? Towards outsiders?NormsMoral CodeWhat are the common social mores?“What activities are considered serious violations of social mores?” “How does society sanction its members?” Code of Behavior“What underlying allegiances or codes of honor dictate behavior?”What are the common expectations for appropriate conduct? How are conduct expectations enforced? What are the consequences when conduct expectations are not met?Taboos“What are the behavioral taboos in the area of interest?” “What are the food taboos in the area of interest?” Are there sex or gender-based taboos?How are taboos enforced? What are the consequences for violating a taboo?Sex and ReproductionWhat are the society’s sexual mores? “What are the expectations for appropriate sexual conduct? How are sexual conduct expectations enforced? What are the consequences for violating sexual conduct expectations?” Is family planning or birth control (including female infanticide) practiced?Who determines procreation policy? The couple, the family, religious or government officials, etc.?GLOSSARYbias"Preconceived opinion[s] that [are] not based on reason or actual experience, in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair" (also see prejudice)class“A way of stratifying groups of people according to their economic status and power in society. Certain social characteristics such as the accumulation of goods or other forms of wealth; education; occupation; region of origin; lineage; and social behavior may all be indicators of class. However, since these indicators are culturally coded, class will be based on different characteristics in different societies.”code of behaviorA set of rules dictating how one carries himself or herself in the presence of or with regard to others. They dictate certain expectations of people in a culture. For example, it is expected in some cultures for males to kiss each other while greeting, while in other cultures this would not be expected, and in extreme cases, not tolerated.ethos"The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations"folklore"The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth." “A group’s collection of stories, sayings and narratives of history passed down through the generations. Each generation receives this inheritance, imbues it with new meaning, and adds new narratives based on collective experience.”history"The study of past events, particularly in human affairs"legislation"Laws, considered collectively"moral code"For many, “good' and “bad” and “moral” and “immoral” are relative and arbitrary; therefore, they are meaningless, without the sanction of a divine will behind them. These codes may address behavior as mundane as proper clothing and eating habits or as serious as sexual relations and the sanctity of life. Religious codes help people make tough choices that might not otherwise be made. With a religious code, choices and options are prescribed by a Higher Authority."normsNorms are socially acceptable regular patterns of behavior and rules followed by individuals and social groups. "Norms may be either moral (incest prohibition, homicide prohibition) or customary (prayer before a meal, removing shoes before entering a house)." "Rules in a culture, also known as norms, are embodied in folkways, mores, and laws." "[A] pattern of behavior expected within a particular society in a given situation. The shared belief of what is normal and acceptable shapes and enforces the actions of people in a society. The very fact that others in one's society follow the norm may give them a reason to follow it. Important norms are called mores. In terms of the media or the information system in general these are used to describe what is expected in the society or related to ethics, such as honesty."perspective of timeThe level at which the concept of time permeates a culture; some cultures may simply integrate the concepts of day and night whereas others have precise timekeeping and strict adherence to it. prejudice "Preconceived opinion[s] that [are] not based on reason or actual experience, in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair" (also see bias)religion"[T]he organized expression of a culture’s belief system."syncretism“The amalgamation of local cultural traditions, indigenous religious beliefs, and formal religious systems to create a synthesis of beliefs and traditions, which, when compared to the “proper” religions of scriptures, clergy, and capital-city seminaries, look s “strange” and “incompatible” with the “real” religion.”taboo"A social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing." “Activities or uses of physical objects that are explicitly forbidden. Generally based on religious notions of permissible and impermissible. In contrast to mores, taboos are rarely about “what you should/must do,” but are about “what you should/must not do.” Broken taboos may not always carry the heavy repercussions of violations of a social more. This may be attributed to the notion that God of the powers that be will strike down the offender, so that others in the society need not enforce the requirement.”values"[T]he norms and beliefs of a culture (the standards for behavior)."war"A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state"worldview"A particular philosophy of life or conception of the world" “The way that people perceive and think about their world.”CHAPTER 7: INFRASTRUCTURE DOMAIN What is the Infrastructure Domain? For the purposes of this framework, the Infrastructure Domain consists of “[t]he basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g., buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.” Why is the Infrastructure Domain important? A structured society, no matter how undeveloped or traditional, requires at least the very basic elements of survival such as water, food, and shelter. While these elements can in theory be acquired by natural means, in most modern cultures some type of infrastructure is required to provide them. Societies tend to disband and flee areas where infrastructure begins to deteriorate or is no longer present.What is important to consider when assessing the Infrastructure Domain?The Infrastructure Domain is divided into three major themes: structures, essential services, and transportation. Each theme describes the framework within a society that provides the basic elements of survival (water, food, and shelter).Structures serve as hubs for governmental, public, and private activities. Essential services provide some of the basic elements of survival. Transportation networks make it possible to distribute food and other goods. The Infrastructure Domain provides an assessment of the overall societal health and whether or not the population’s basic needs are being met.The Infrastructure Domain provides an overview of the level of technology in the AO.This Infrastructure Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 7.1: Infrastructure Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the infrastructure operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 7.1: Infrastructure Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Infrastructure Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. StructuresFor the purposes of this taxonomy: Government refers structures owned and operated by the government whether access to them is open or restricted. Public refers to structures that are either governmentally or privately owned, but accessible to the public. Private refers to structures that are privately owned and accessible at the discretion of the owner?GovernmentWhat are the important government facilities in the AO?Are government facilities permanent and dedicated to specific purposes (e.g.: a police station that is used only for law enforcement activities) or are they multi-purpose facilities (e.g.: a school that is used as a courthouse)?Does the government operate only out of government facilities or does it use non-governmental facilities (e.g.: a church, a private home, a store, etc.) as required? What are the plans for continuity of government in the event of total loss of physical infrastructure?Military Where are the active military installations located in the AO? What are their functions?How is a local economy affected by the presence of a military installation?Are the demographics of a region altered by the presence of a military installation? How so?Law EnforcementHow is the law enforcement infrastructure distributed in the AO? Do they operate out of large central offices or smaller field offices? Are they organized in precincts, etc.?How does the distribution of law enforcement infrastructure affect the freedom of movement? (i.e., is there a large system of permanent checkpoints?)Where are detainees housed? (local jail, work camp, prison, etc.)MedicalWhere are the hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, etc.? What is the general state of the medical infrastructure? Are citizens able to get essential and emergency health care in a timely manner? If not, why not? How many hospital beds per capita are there in the area? Doctors per capita?Does the population have access to an adequate supply of essential medicines? What effects may inadequate health care have on the society?Do traditional medicine and practitioners (such as, midwives and shamans) play a role in the area’s health care? If so, do they supplement or replace the formal medical services?EducationalWhere are the schools (elementary, secondary, vocational, collegiate, etc.)?What is the average distance travelled to schools? Is there a public transit system or are the students on their own?Who controls and/or funds the education system (local or national authorities, religious leaders, foreign interests, etc.)? Is there a standard education available to all children in the AO?Who are the teachers (locals, foreign aid workers, etc.)? What is the student-to-teacher ratio?PublicPopulation CentersWhat are the key population centers in the AO (government centers, transportation and logistical hubs, >100,000 population)?What is the rate of urbanization in the AO?EconomicWhere are the economic hubs (markets, banks, etc.)? What is the state of the area’s banking system? Is there an electronic banking infrastructure (credit cards, ATMs, etc.) or is it a cash economy?ReligiousWhere are the religious structures? What (if any) special governmental regulations apply to the construction of religious structures?CivicWhere are the community structures (e.g.: community centers, fraternal organizations, etc.)? Are these government subsidized, corporate, or religious in nature?IndustrialWhere are the primary industries in the region? Are these government subsidized, corporate, or religious in nature? What zoning regulation is in place?CommunicationsWhat are the communications structures in the AO (landline telephone network, cellular network, internet, satellite)? What is the cell phone coverage in the AO?Water SystemsWhat types of man-made water systems characterize the area? (wells, irrigation, canals)What is the primary source of drinking water in the area? What is the primary source of irrigation?“Who customarily exercises specific functions with respect to water? What are these functions?” Do any populations rely upon rain catchment or other low-technology water systems?PrivateUrbanWhat types of living units are most prevalent (high rise apartments, low rise apartments, townhomes, houses, etc.)?Are urban living units tied into the utility networks (power, water, sewage, communications, etc.)?Are urban living units owned, leased, or subsidized by the government?RuralWhat constitutes a typical rural dwelling? Are these single-family or multi-family dwellings?From where does the rural population obtain its water, electricity, etc.?Essential ServicesPower GridTo what extent does the power grid service the AO? Is it strictly urban or does it service rural areas, as well?How dependent is the population on consistent power? Are there regular brown-outs and black-outs? What might be the effects of a days-long black out on the population?Who funds/maintains the power grid? What safeguards are in place to maintain the power grid? How much of the grid is under computer control?What natural resources are used for generating power (coal, oil, gas, hydro, wind, nuclear, etc.)? Where do they come from? “What is the relationship between local elites and access to/provision of fuel and power?”Water and SewerHow much of the population has access to running water? To potable water?How much of the population is served by a municipal sewage system? Septic systems? What other sewage systems are used in the AO? What is the prevalence of water and sewage-borne diseases in the population? TrashWhat refuse disposal system(s) are in use in the AO? What formal and informal reuse/recycle programs exist in the AO? Local ExpertsAre there adequate numbers of knowledgeable people in the workforce to maintain the area’s infrastructure? If not, why not?Is there an adequate vocational education system to maintain a knowledgeable workforce? TransportationAirHow well is the AO serviced by international and domestic air travel? By whom?What is the state of the AO’s airports/airfields? Who operates/maintains them? What is the state of the AO’s air navigation/air traffic control systems? Who operates/maintains them? Land (Trails, Roads, and Rail)What are the principal mode of transportation within the AO? Are non-motorized means used by some populations? What types? (donkeys, wheel carts, water buffaloes, canoes, rafts, etc.)How well-maintained are the trail, road and rail networks in the AO? Who is responsible for maintenance of the networks?What are the primary uses for the trails, roads and rail networks (natural resources, cargo, passenger, etc.)? How well-trafficked are the transportation networks? By whom? What type of traffic?To what extent does the AO’s economy depend upon the trails and roads? The rails?Is the rail purely domestic or does it extend beyond the borders? Does the rail gauge match that of the neighboring AO’s?WaterAre there any canal and/or natural river systems used for transportation in the region? If so, what are they? To what extent does the AO’s economy depend upon water transportation networks? GLOSSARYgovernment structures"facilit[ies] housing local governmental offices, usually a city, town, or village hall[s]" power grid"A system of synchronized power providers and consumers connected by transmission and distribution lines and operated by one or more control centers. In the continental United States, the electric power grid consists of three systems the Eastern Interconnect, the Western Interconnect, and the Texas Interconnect. In Alaska and Hawaii, several systems encompass areas smaller than the State (e.g., the interconnect serving Anchorage, Fairbanks, and the Kenai Peninsula; individual islands)."utilitiesInfrastructure that supplies human inhabited structures with on-site services such as electricity, water, sewage, and communication networks. CHAPTER 8: COMMUNICATIONS DOMAIN What is the Communications Domain? For the purposes of this framework, the Communications Domain consists of “... how information is produced, distributed, and consumed.”Why is the Communications Domain important? As a “system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts,” sharing is inherent in culture. The Communications Domain provides a basis for assessing how these attributes are shared within a society. What is important to consider with assessing the Communications Domain?The communications domain is divided roughly into three major themes, language, media, and point to point communications. Language describes the system of communication while media and point to point describe the munications can be verbal or non-verbal.Messages are transmitted over a host of electronic munications can be manipulated to affect the public perceptions. This Communications Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 8.1: Communications Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the information operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 8.1: Communications Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Communications Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. LanguageVerbalWhat languages are spoken in the region? Which language is prominent?Is there a “national” or “official” language(s) for government or religious use? What percentage of the population speak it (them)?What are the most widely used dialects or pidgin in the region? What are the important slang terms or idioms used in the region? What do they mean? Are there spoken languages that have no written form?Non-verbalWrittenHow visible is written language (signs, billboards, postings, etc.) in the environment?What are the important books?What expressive forms are used in the culture other than printing (tapestries, sagas, war rugs, etc.)GesturesWhat types of gestures are commonly used outside the realm of structured language (e.g., gang signs, thumbs up, etc.)? What do they mean? How are they different from similar signs in other cultures?Is there a standard sign language? Is it principally for the deaf or is it more widespread?What types of facial expressions and/or body language are used to convey information?Are there gender specific gestures?SymbolsWhat are the formal national and sub-national cultural symbols?What are the informal symbols (e.g., graffiti) evident in the AO? What do they symbolize?What brands are prevalent in the AO? What do they symbolize?What types of clothing have cultural significance in the AO? (Bandanas, uniforms, jackets, black clothes, etc?)Information ExchangeWhat are the primary information sources (mass media, internet, word of mouth, etc.)? What are the culturally appropriate methods for disseminating information (poems, dance, songs, stories, folktales, sagas, etc.)?MediaGeneral questions to consider concerning all media:Who is the target audience for the each major media outlet in the AO?What are the media outlets within the AO and what areas do they cover? Who controls the media? What is the relationship between the government and the media? Between the media and other groups? PrintWhat are the major print media in the AO and who controls them?How prevalent is print media in the AO? Are there daily newspapers? Magazines?Is enough of the population able to read to make print media an effective means of mass communication?How is print media distributed to the people?RadioWhat are the major radio stations in the AO and who controls them?What percentage of the population has access to a radio?How prevalent are pirate radio broadcasts? Are there any government controls in place to curb these?Is there any type of emergency alert capability built into the radio broadcast requirements? Explain.TelevisionWhat are the major television stations in the AO and who controls them?What percentage of the population has access to a television?How prevalent are pirate television broadcasts? Are there any government controls in place to curb these?Is there any type of emergency alert capability built into the television broadcast requirements? Explain.InternetWhat is internet availability in the AO?What percentage of the population accesses the internet via home computers? How prevalent are internet cafes?What is the level of government imposed internet censorship?Who are the internet providers in the AO? Social MediaHow prevalent is social media use in the region?What are the most popular platforms in the AO?What is the primary technology for accessing the internet (Home computers? Internet cafes? Smart phones?)Point to PointTelephoneWhat percentage of the population owns a telephone?What is the most prevalent type of telephone in the region (land line, cellular)?Who provides the telephone service in the AO? TelegraphIs telegraph still used? Was it ever? Would it even have been necessary?How did the use of the telegraph begin to close the geographical gaps in the region?MailWhat postal/parcel services are found in the region?Are these private or government entities (or both)?Person-to-PersonHow important is person-to-person information in the AO?Where do people meet to pass information?GLOSSARYgestures and signsCommunication using facial expressions, hand gestures, or other type of body language. This may include actions taken (or not taken) that may not be direct forms of communication in and of themselves, such as refusing to answer a telephone call.language"A language is a dynamic set of visual, auditory, or tactile symbols of communication and the elements used to manipulate them. Language can also refer to the use of such systems as a general phenomenon. Language is considered to be an exclusively human mode of communication; although animals make use of quite sophisticated communicative systems, none of these are known to make use of all of the properties that linguists use to define language."mass communicationsDelivery of information between one transmitter and a large number of recipients. This is usually uni-directional, but can occasionally be bi-directional (in the case of internet discussion boards that are sometimes enabled in tandem with mass-communicated information).non-verbal communicationsCommunication using a non-vocal form of language.non-verbal symbolic communicationUse of body language, dress, physical positioning, design of structures, in order to communicate status, desire, mood, etc.; usually based on symbols, values, ideals, images accepted or known among a particular cultural group. All non-word-based communication.”point-to-point communicationsDelivery of information between one transmitter and a single recipient. This can be bi-directional (in the case of the telephone) or uni-directional (in the case of telegraph or mail).pressIndividuals, groups, organizations, and corporations that gather information and relay it to the general public in an objective or subjective form. These come in many forms and vary widely in their levels of influence.symbolsCommunication using a simplified form of language whereby its component symbols are easily recognized due to their resemblance to a real-world object or abstract idea and can apply universally across language barriers. An example would be a drawing of a cat to represent a "cat" or a drawing of a person standing, and then seated to represent the verb "sit".technology“the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems; a machine, piece of equipment, method, etc., that is created by technology”verbal communicationsCommunication using a vocal form of language.written communicationCommunication using a written form of language. This requires some type of medium on which to record the written words or glyphs.CHAPTER 9: GEOGRAPHIC DOMAINWhat is the Geographic Domain? For the purposes of this framework, the Geographic Domain consists of “…the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use, and industries.” Why is the Geographic Domain important? Geography is a key component of the operational environment. The spatial distribution of populations and resources is a fundamental key in understanding a culture, its people, and the environment.What is important to consider when assessing the Geographic Domain?The physical geography is divided roughly into two major themes, physical geography and human geography. Physical geography influences human settlement and economic development. Human geography describes how humans interrelate with their natural environment.This Geographic Domain Taxonomy (see Figure 9.1: Geographic Domain taxonomy schematic below) serves as a guide to assist practitioners in assessing the physical environment operational variable in an AO from a socio-cultural perspective. As such, it is not all inclusive. Practitioners may add additional factors to the framework as needed to contribute depth to their analyses. Figure 9.1. Geographic Domain taxonomy schematicThe following questions are drawn from an assortment of military publications or drafted by GCKN. They are meant to assist the practitioner in completing an analysis using the Geographic Domain Taxonomy. The analyses should address these questions for the subject nation, society, area, or organization under consideration. Physical GeographyHow does geography affect economic development in the AO?How does economic activity affect the geographic environment in the AO?How has geography shaped the history in the AO? How has geography shaped security forces in the AO?How has the geography of the AO affected its culture? “What effects has the physical environment had on foreign influence?”TerrainWhat type of terrain is in the area? (mountainous, flat, wooded, grassland, etc.)What challenges do the people in the area face due to terrain, if any (natural barriers, high slopes, rivers, etc.)? How has the population adapted to overcome these challenges?“Are there particular land formations that are visually striking, with local significance?”Climate/WeatherWhat type of climate characterizes the area? (temperate, Mediterranean, continental, maritime, tundra, alpine, rainforest, etc.)What specific effects does the climate have on the inhabitants of the area? (deserts and grasslands promote nomadic lifestyle, etc.)What type of weather does the area experience? Is it prone to quick changes or is it relatively consistent? “What, in local terms, passes for good weather, bad weather, etc.?”How does the weather affect where the population spends the majority of their time (indoor/outdoor)? Are the authorities prepared to keep transportation networks clear in the event of inclement weather?“How does the climate influence local attitudes to - and capabilities for - work, business, and combat?”EcosystemsHow do the people interact with these ecosystems?Do the area’s populations consider themselves part of the ecosystem? Or, do they see themselves as above it and a controlling influence?What types of fauna and flora characterize the AO? Which are used for domestic or commercial purposes by the population?What are the culturally significant fauna and flora? Natural HazardsWhat natural disasters exist in the area (floods, mudslides, earthquakes, typhoons, sandstorms, etc.)?What potential effects would a natural disaster have on the local economy?What (if any) measures are in place to deal with natural disasters (early warning systems, emergency relief units, word-of-mouth, etc.)?Key Terrain “Has the geography facilitated security, or invite invasion by another culture?” Which areas offer a distinct economic or security advantage? Which areas facilitate or deter social interaction?Natural ResourcesWhat natural resources have been found in the area?Who is harvesting these natural resources and for what purpose?“Are these natural resources accessible? Are they nearing depletion? Who controls access to these natural resources?” “Which natural resources are required by the culture, but not available internal to their borders? Where are these locally unavailable resources procured? Who is in the controlling seat for procuring them, and who provides them? What sources of power emanate from this relationship?”HydrosphereHow accessible is potable water in the area?How does the presence of surface water inhibit social interaction?“Are there cultural rules about water’s use?” Is there a water scarcity in the AO? Is so, how has the population adapted?Human GeographyTerritorial OrganizationHow were the AO’s borders determined (physical barriers, ethnic boundaries, arbitrary, previous colonial designations, etc.)? “…how people living in the nation/region view those boundaries, in terms of politics, economics, genealogy, and security?” “Are there symbolic meanings for certain sub-districts in the region, and do groups within the area view this symbolism similarly, or differently? Why?” Neighboring StatesWhat are the regional affinities in the AO?Where are the cultural transition zones in the AO? What effect does this have in relations with neighboring states?Environmental IssuesWhat are the pollution problems in the AO? What is the origin of the pollution? How does the population deal with pollution?What natural resource depletion issues are present in the AO (deforestation, over fishing, over grazing, poaching, etc.)? What/who is causing the depletion?How does resource depletion affect the environment and/or the population?Key/Critical Terrain (Infrastructure)What are the significant historical and religious sites in the AO?How do the people feel about the historic, archaeological and religious sites in the area? Are they valued? Are they exploited?What the prestige based locales in the AO? Property RightsLand OwnershipWho owns the land in the AO? Is land ownership open to everyone?“What are the local conventions of private, communal, and state ownership/use of land?”“How is the ownership of land related to the power structure of the region?” Land Rental/LeasingWhat percentage of the population leases/rents as opposed to owning land?Who owns the rented properties (government entities, corporations, individuals)?How do property leases in this region work (length of lease, hereditary, indenture, etc.)?Water Rights“Who, in the culture, has customarily controlled access to water, and how have they used that for power, influence, etc.?” Foodways“What are the local staples, and what is the required labor to grow, prepare, and serve them?”“What foods are served by whom, to indicate the status of server or guest?”“What foods have which kinds of ritual significance?”“What are the time- or calendar-related roles of various foods?”“Which foods are strategic commodities, inasmuch as controlling access to them influences one’s coercive or political power?”“What, in local terms, is considered food sufficiency, food scarcity, and the proper role of external forces in providing food?”GLOSSARYagriculture"[T]he production of food, feed, fiber and other goods by the systematic raising of domesticated plants and animals. In modern usage, the word agriculture covers all activities essential to food/feed/fiber production, including all techniques for raising and 'processing' livestock."built environmentAny part of the environment that has been constructed or manipulated by humans.climate"Climate in a narrow sense is usually defined as the "average weather," or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands of years. The classical period is 3 decades, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate in a wider sense is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate system."cultural geology"The study of spatial variations among cultural groups and the spatial functioning of society."ecosystem"Any natural unit or entity including living and non-living parts that interact to produce a stable system through cyclic exchange of materials."deforestation"Those practices or processes that result in the conversion of forested lands for non-forest uses." This factor may include discussion of the second-order effects on the environment and the population.foodways"[A]ll of the traditional activities, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors associated with [...] food in [...] daily life. Foodways include customs of food production, preservation, preparation, presentation, gathering, marketing (both buying and selling), uses of food products other than for eating, and food folklore."geology"[A] science that deals with the history of the earth and its life especially as recorded in rocks"hydrosphere"The component of the climate system comprising liquid surface and subterranean water, such as: oceans, seas, rivers, fresh water lakes, underground water etc."key terrain"Any locality, or area, the seizure or retention of which affords a marked advantage to either combatant."major citiesMajor population centers, generally acting as hubs that service a large suburban and rural component surrounding the city. "Megacities" are defined by the Environmental Protection Agency as those with "populations over 10 million."natural environmentAny part of the environment that has not been constructed or manipulated by humans.natural hazardsNaturally occurring phenomena that have the potential to endanger human or animal life.natural resourcesRaw materials from the earth or its atmosphere that are used by humans either directly or in the production of more complex materials.precipitation"The process where water vapor condenses in the atmosphere to form water droplets that fall to the Earth as rain, sleet, snow, hail, etc."property rights"[R]elations between people [owners and non-owners, and among claimants to disputed title] respecting things"regional affinitiesDescriptions of the relationships between states in a given region (neighborhood), with a focus on cultural differences and similarities.terrainA general characterization of an area of land, describing its physical makeup and features such as elevation, slope, land cover, etc.terrestrial environment“The Earth’s land area, including its man-made and natural surface and sub-surface features, and its interfaces and interactions with the atmosphere and the oceans.” territorial organizationThe manner in which a culture has organized its territory, either via the use of natural phenomena, arbitrary delineations, or construction of structures.transition zonesAreas where elements (culture, ethnic groups, currency, etc) of one state intermingle with elements from a neighboring state.transportation networksNetworks that serve to move people and/or cargo from one place to another. These may be natural (stream networks) or manmade (rail, road networks).water rightsA term that refers to the local doctrine (riparian, prior application, etc.) determining the rights of surface and groundwater appropriation.weather"Atmospheric condition at any given time or place. It is measured in terms of such things as wind, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation. In most places, weather can change from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. Climate in a narrow sense is usually defined as the "average weather", or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. The classical period is 30 years, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization. These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate in a wider sense is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate system. A simple way of remembering the difference is that climate is what you expect (e.g. cold winters) and 'weather' is what you get (e.g. a blizzard)."WORKS CITED"Corruption Perceptions Index 2010, Long Methodological Brief,", Transparency International (2010) accessed 21 July 2016 "Foreign policy," , Web Finance. Inc., 2016 "Political stability - country rankings, Political stability index (-2.5 weak; 2.5 strong), 2014 (points, Source: The World Bank ())," the , 25 July 2016, accessed 25 July 2016 "Sector 31-33 -- Manufacturing, The Sector as a Whole," North American Industry ClassificationBarak A. Salmoni and Paula Holmes-Eber, Operational Culture for the warfighter: Principles and Applications, (Quantico: Marine Corps University Press, 2010).Barone, Stefano, and Franco, Eva Lo. Statistical and Managerial Techniques for Six Sigma Methodology: Theory and Application. 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