Research Article

What Does Theory of Moves Enable that Classical Game Theory Could Not? A Study on Methodological Tools of Theory of Moves

Volume: 9 Number: 1 February 22, 2021
TR EN

What Does Theory of Moves Enable that Classical Game Theory Could Not? A Study on Methodological Tools of Theory of Moves

Abstract

Game Theory (GT) and game-theoretic models have been used for many years to examine particularly international politics and strategic interactions between rational actors, in general, the dynamics of the social world. Different models and approaches have been developed to enhance the explanatory capacities of GT. In this regard, Theory of Moves (TOM) was developed by Stephen Brams in order to analyze and explain strategic interaction more realistically. The purpose of this article is to examine the main assumptions, rules and concepts of TOM with the structure and drawbacks of Classical GT to evaluate methodological tools of TOM. The purpose of this article is to examine two game-theoretic models, Classical GT and TOM, and to scrutinize what sorts of methodological utilities could be achieved by them. Thus it is aimed to illustrate methodological constraints and drawbacks of Classical GT and how the rules and features of TOM intend to overcome these issues. In the study, although it is claimed that TOM made remarkable contribution to GT, the methodological constraints of TOM are pointed out.

Keywords

References

  1. Baldwin, David Allen. (1993). Neorealism and neoliberalism: the contemporary debate. Columbia University Press.
  2. Brams, Steven J. (2000). "Game theory: Pitfalls and opportunities in applying it to international relations." International Studies Perspectives 1(3), 221-232.
  3. Brams, Steven J. (2001). "Response to Randall Stone: Heresy or Scientific Progress?." Journal of Conflict Resolution 45(2), 245-254.
  4. Brams, Steven J. (1994). Theory of Moves. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  5. Brams, Steven, and Jeffrey M. Togman. (1996). "The dynamics of the Northern Ireland conflict." Oxford International Review 7(2), 251-565.
  6. Brams, Steven J., and Marek P. Hessel. (1984). "Threat power in sequential games." International Studies Quarterly 28(1), 23-44.
  7. Brams, Steven J., and Walter Mattli. (1993). "Theory of moves: overview and examples." Conflict Management and Peace Science 12(2), 1-39.
  8. Carmichael, Fiona. (2005). A guide to game theory. Pearson Education.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

-

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

February 22, 2021

Submission Date

November 26, 2020

Acceptance Date

January 21, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Aktaş, Ö. (2021). What Does Theory of Moves Enable that Classical Game Theory Could Not? A Study on Methodological Tools of Theory of Moves. Anemon Muş Alparslan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 9(1), 241-247. https://doi.org/10.18506/anemon.832186