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To a majority of people who do not support Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), its supporters and leaders appear largely irrational. This perception is driven by a narrative that posits that the words and actions of PTI supporters and party members frequently work against the long-term interests of their own leader and party.
Whereas this assessment is rational, one can also contend that what the supporters of PTI say and do is not entirely devoid of rationality. Instead, they are actually demonstrating a flippant version of rationality. This is referred to as “rational irrationality.” Let me explain.
According to the American economist Bryan Caplan, adhering to an inflexible and seemingly counterproductive stance yields high psychological rewards and solidifies a collective identity. By prioritising the disruption of the political status quo, PTI supporters and voters make a calculated trade-off. Their behaviour may seem irrational, but it remains entirely rational to the individuals themselves, because they gain social cohesion, a feeling of moral superiority and a sense of purpose, regardless of how irrational they may appear through the lens of conventional wisdom.
