Game Theory and Foreign Policy

Paper Summary:

Game theory is the use of mathematical models to predict the outcome of a dispute or interaction between two or more independent actors. It has been applied in a wide range of contexts, including gambling, business and international relations. This essay examines the importance of game theory when analyzing the foreign policy decision-making process. It argues that while simple games such as the Prisoner's Dilemma may not illuminate the process on their own, more complex models can offer a systemic device by which foreign policy can be analyzed more accurately.

From the Paper:

"Perhaps the most widely recognized game is the Prisoner's Dilemma, which examines the choices faced by two people arrested for the same crime, and observes the likelihood that they would both accuse the other one, and thus both go to jail. When used in foreign policy analysis, it is often used to describe the nature of arms races, or the possibility of nuclear fallout. This is a non-zero-sum game, a game where it is possible for both players to lose, or to win (as opposed to a zero-sum game, where one actor's gain is always equal to another actor's loss)."

More papers on Game Theory and Foreign Policy:

• Term Paper # 112746 : "Foreign Policy Theory"
• Essay # 57467 : "Domestic Interest Group Theory"
• Analytical Essay # 110027 : "International Politics"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: