The tragedy of the commons in a violent world

A-Tier
Journal: RAND Journal of Economics
Year: 2014
Volume: 45
Issue: 3
Pages: 521-532

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

type="main"> <p>Earlier research has shown that the tragedy of the commons may be resolved by Folk theorems for dynamic games. In this article, we graft on a standard natural-resource exploitation game the possibility to appropriate the resource through violent means. Because conflict emerges endogenously as resources get depleted, the threat supporting the cooperative outcome is no longer subgame perfect, and thus credible. The unique equilibrium is such that players exploit noncooperatively the resource when it is abundant, and they revert to conflict when it becomes scarce. The players' utility is shown to be lower even if conflict wastes no resources.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:bla:randje:v:45:y:2014:i:3:p:521-532
Journal Field
Industrial Organization
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-29