Aikido in behavioral economics?

Aikido isn't about trying to overpower your attacker, it's about out-relaxing your attacker. :-)

Before I'd studied Aikido in the dojo, I read a lot about it. The idea of a martial art that worked with very little application of power was really intriguing. I could not have fathomed, in the deepest reaches of my mind, a martial art that DIDN'T work, however, when you applied excessive force. This is truly a learning experience for me, about doing what is necessary, and developing subtlety. I'm horrible at it, but enjoying every minute. :)

-- James

Yes and no, in my opinion. One of the challenges I encounter in Aikido training is that many uke will "shut down" a technique if they feel power behind it, usually by getting tight and resisting with their own strength. What is rarely realized in dojo training (or at least in my own training) is the understanding that this kind of ukemi leaves uke very open to a more basic attack like a punch or kick. As far as I can tell, though, the ideal of peace has overshadowed the martial reality, which largely accounts for the perception that aikidoka are training in something other than a martial art.

The original students of o-sensei were all largely proficient in other styles prior to studying Aikido. Accordingly, basic strikes were not explicitly taught when they learned Aikido, or at least, not as far as I can tell from what I've read and whom I've spoken to. I suspect that it was assumed and understood that being open (or resisting) as uke meant that the comparatively gentle techniques would not "work", but that a more direct attack would. Watching Chiba-sensei is instructive in this regard; he does not hesitate to strike an uke who is basically being ignorant and/or stubborn.

As Ueshiba himself said, "the best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses."