Game_Theory_in_IR, include models(1).pptx

Game theory in IR

1. Game Theory in International Relations Simplified, Illustrative, and Comprehensive Overview

2. Introduction • Game theory = study of strategic decision-making • Players: states, leaders, organizations • Outcome depends on choices of all actors • Useful for explaining war, peace, alliances, negotiations

3. Key Concepts • Players → states, organizations, leaders • Strategies → cooperate, defect, attack, negotiate • Payoffs → outcomes of choices (security, gain, loss) • Zero-sum vs Non-zero-sum games

4. Prisoner’s Dilemma • States face temptation to defect despite cooperation being better • Example: Cold War nuclear arms race • Lesson: Security dilemma leads to arms races

5. Chicken Game • Both sides escalate; backing down seen as weakness • Example: Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) • Lesson: Bluffing and signaling resolve are crucial

6. Stag Hunt • Cooperation yields high reward, defection yields smaller safe reward • Example: Paris Climate Agreement • Lesson: Trust and institutions build cooperation

7. Battle of the Sexes • Players want to cooperate but have different preferences • Example: NATO alliance burden-sharing • Lesson: Coordination problems need communication and leadership

8. Applications in IR • War and peace – PD explains conflicts • Nuclear deterrence – Chicken Game (MAD) • Alliances – coordination issues (Battle of Sexes) • Trade negotiations – Stag Hunt (trust needed) • Climate change – repeated PD (cooperation long-term best)

9. Strengths & Criticisms Strengths: • Clear framework for understanding state behavior • Predicts patterns of cooperation/conflict • Helps policymakers in negotiations Criticisms: • Assumes rational, unitary states • Oversimplifies real-world complexity • Downplays power inequalities

10. Illustrative Models & Examples • Prisoner’s Dilemma → Cold War arms race → mistrust fuels conflict • Chicken Game → Cuban Missile Crisis → risk-taking matters • Stag Hunt → Climate agreements → cooperation needs trust • Battle of Sexes → NATO → coordination key

11. Conclusion • Game theory shows IR is about strategy, not just power • Explains why states cooperate, conflict, or compromise • Useful but limited – must add context of history, power, and domestic politics