The Socio-Political Economy of Informal Cross Border Trading: A Case Study of Iran-Baluchistan Border

Abstract

This thesis investigates the socio-political economy of informal cross-border trading in the Baluchistan-Iran border region. The study focuses on Turbat and Jiwani cities in Baluchistan and relies on primary data collected through surveys and interviews of 100 native participants engaged in informal cross-border trade. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, which includes discourse analysis, descriptive analysis and econometric analysis. The study shows such business activities associated with informal cross border trade have provided natives with substantial earnings, raising their living standards, contributing to poverty alleviation and thereby ensuring food security. The analysis also identifies factors such as business category, payment methods and types of traded commodities that significantly influence ICBT returns. The study also sheds light on an overlooked economic activity by policy-makers in an underexplored region of Baluchistan. Key words: socio-political economy, ICBT, border region, economic activity, poverty alleviation, source of income.