Structuring Intervention Decisions to Prevent Genocide and Mass Atrocities
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Date
2015
Authors
Slovic, Paul
Gregory, Robin
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Decision Research
Abstract
Drawing on techniques from decision analysis, psychology, and negotiation analysis, we
highlight a general approach to assessing genocide prevention decisions that we believe could
provide decision makers with additional insight, consistency, efficiency, and defensibility. We
argue that the use of a consistent decision-making framework would facilitates the comparison
and review of choices, with significant clarity gained through the simple act of developing a
common language for the key decision elements and placing considerations into an agreed upon
context and order. The consequences of alternative actions can then be evaluated in
terms of their ability to achieve the identified values, collectively determining the overall
benefits, costs, and risks of proposed actions. Properly used, a decision-aiding framework has
the potential to improve the quality of intervention deliberations, laying the groundwork for a
more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the threats posed to American values and
interests using a common language for analysis that facilitates input and involvement from all
key parties.
Description
8 pages
Keywords
Intervention decisions, Genocide, Mass atrocities, Decision analysis
Citation
Gregory, R., & Slovic, P. (2015). Structuring intervention decisions to prevent genocide and mass atrocities (Working Paper No. 15-02). Eugene, OR: Decision Research.