Contributions of Game Theory to International Relations Literature

Abstract

This article is an introduction to the applications of game theory in international studies and makes an evaluation of what is added by using it. I illustrate the benefits of incorporating the instrumental rationality assumption and formal methods to international studies via giving examples from the literature. I argue that despite its relative infancy in the field, use of game theory have greatly contributed to our understanding and explanations of international relations.

Keywords

Game theory, formal rational choice theory, rationality assumption, strategic interactions.

Citation

Özdamar, Özgür, “Contributions of Game Theory to International Relations Literature”, International Relations, Volume 4, Issue 15 (Fall 2007), pp. 33-65.

Affiliations

• Özgür Özdamar, Instructor, TOBB University of Economics and Technology, Department of International Relations