Deterrence in Contests

作者:De Luca Giacomo*; Sekeris Petros G
来源:Economica, 2013, 80(317): 171-189.
DOI:10.1111/j.1468-0335.2012.00940.x

摘要

This paper explores the role of deterrence in contests. As a general rule, we show that for a deterrence strategy to be played by rational agents, it is necessary that the contest be destructive. We show for a very general class of functions that pure strategy deterrence equilibria where contestants deter one another do not exist. A corollary of this finding is that under fairly general conditions, agents should always be expected to engage in contests. Applied to international relations, our results imply that war is always a potential outcome despite deterrence attempts.

  • 出版日期2013-1