schelling's game theory
What is the ultimate objective of game theory? That was the question buzzing in our minds when the Nobel Academy awarded the prestigious prize for Economic Sciences to Robert J. Aumann and Thomas C. Schelling for their contribution to game theory. True, games help unravel the dynamics of conflict and cooperation. But, as Schelling explains in the following interview, investigation is one aspect of game theory. The other, more important, part is peaceful co-existence.
By Vinay Kamat & Sumit Chakraberty
Q:. Why do you think the Nobel Academy awarded you with the top honor? Is the ultimate objective of game theory peaceful co-existence?
A: They didn't really tell me, except that I'd contributed to the understanding of conflict and cooperation with the help of game theory. They haven't mentioned any specific works of mine, or specific ideas I'd contributed. I think it's more of a "lifetime achievement" award than an award for any specific contribution. The ultimate objective of game theory is to illuminate the nature of conflict and cooperation; the ultimate objectiveof some game theorists, like myself, is peaceful coexistence
Q: How do you relate to day-to-day life as a game theorist?Do you see day-to-day relationships, family interactions, through the prism of game theory? Is life also about game-theory situations?Has it made you a better father or husband?
A: Yes, I tend to see day-to-day relationships through the prism of game theory--not technical mathematical game theory but game theory's insight into strategic behavior. Game theory may have made me a more perceptive father or husband, whether a "better father or husband"you'd have to ask my wife and children…
Q: What would you consider as your most significant contribution to game theory?
A: I think my most significant contribution, not so much "to game theory" as to the kind of behavior alanalysis that game theory tries to illuminate, is the concept of "commitment". Commitment lies behind efforts to make credible promises, credible threats, credible offers and counter-offers in bargaining. Finding ways to commit is often difficult but crucially important. It is important to commit the nation never to launch a surprise attack, but how to do that requires careful analysis, appropriate technology, and an appreciation of its importance.
Q: How does a game theorist apply his knowledge and work to international conflicts? Do governments take their help often? In how many cases has the US Government sought the advice of game theorists?
A: I’ve often been asked for help and advice, but Ithink not because of game theory. Game theory helps me think about important issues in international security, butI never phrase my advice in terms of game theory and I'm not sure that the people who seek or heed my advice think of me as a game theorist.
Q: How would game theory apply to some current international situations?
A: People who are game theorists, or who know a little game theory, who spent time during the Cold War trying to make deterrence work, might in years to come try to help a nation like Iran, if it should acquire some nuclear weapons, think about how to use its nuclear capability solely for self-defence via deterrence rather than in more mischievous or dangerous ways.
Q: Do you wish game theory were more popular than it is today, where its benefits percolate to larger sections of society? How can it be made more accessible and popular?
A: Game theory will always be restricted to people who do explicit formal analysis, mainly academics or specialists in business, law, or government. A lot of the results of game theory can be made usefully available to a much wider audience by game theorists who are good at translating their results into normal language.
By Vinay Kamat & Sumit Chakraberty
Q:. Why do you think the Nobel Academy awarded you with the top honor? Is the ultimate objective of game theory peaceful co-existence?
A: They didn't really tell me, except that I'd contributed to the understanding of conflict and cooperation with the help of game theory. They haven't mentioned any specific works of mine, or specific ideas I'd contributed. I think it's more of a "lifetime achievement" award than an award for any specific contribution. The ultimate objective of game theory is to illuminate the nature of conflict and cooperation; the ultimate objectiveof some game theorists, like myself, is peaceful coexistence
Q: How do you relate to day-to-day life as a game theorist?Do you see day-to-day relationships, family interactions, through the prism of game theory? Is life also about game-theory situations?Has it made you a better father or husband?
A: Yes, I tend to see day-to-day relationships through the prism of game theory--not technical mathematical game theory but game theory's insight into strategic behavior. Game theory may have made me a more perceptive father or husband, whether a "better father or husband"you'd have to ask my wife and children…
Q: What would you consider as your most significant contribution to game theory?
A: I think my most significant contribution, not so much "to game theory" as to the kind of behavior alanalysis that game theory tries to illuminate, is the concept of "commitment". Commitment lies behind efforts to make credible promises, credible threats, credible offers and counter-offers in bargaining. Finding ways to commit is often difficult but crucially important. It is important to commit the nation never to launch a surprise attack, but how to do that requires careful analysis, appropriate technology, and an appreciation of its importance.
Q: How does a game theorist apply his knowledge and work to international conflicts? Do governments take their help often? In how many cases has the US Government sought the advice of game theorists?
A: I’ve often been asked for help and advice, but Ithink not because of game theory. Game theory helps me think about important issues in international security, butI never phrase my advice in terms of game theory and I'm not sure that the people who seek or heed my advice think of me as a game theorist.
Q: How would game theory apply to some current international situations?
A: People who are game theorists, or who know a little game theory, who spent time during the Cold War trying to make deterrence work, might in years to come try to help a nation like Iran, if it should acquire some nuclear weapons, think about how to use its nuclear capability solely for self-defence via deterrence rather than in more mischievous or dangerous ways.
Q: Do you wish game theory were more popular than it is today, where its benefits percolate to larger sections of society? How can it be made more accessible and popular?
A: Game theory will always be restricted to people who do explicit formal analysis, mainly academics or specialists in business, law, or government. A lot of the results of game theory can be made usefully available to a much wider audience by game theorists who are good at translating their results into normal language.
posted by vinay kamat at 5:41 AM
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